Livelife Autumn/Winter 2016

livelife

www.livelifemag.co.uk

PICK UP YOUR

FREE COPY

Autumn/Winter 2016

Life over 50 in the East

AUTUMN / WINTER 16

LOCAL HERITAGE

Find local historical gems

HEALTH

The secrets to looking and feeling young

TRAVEL

Life over 50 in the East

TV’s Jenie Bond on European cruises

FINANCE

Discover ways to make easy money

Issue 003

RICHARDSON’S

Seacroft Holiday Village

Seacroft Grown Ups Only Holiday Village is located just 7 miles North of Great Yarmouth in the traditional seaside resort of Hemsby. Half or full board, 3 and 4 night breaks with daily activities and great entertainment nightly.

CHRISTMAS AT SEACROFT Xmas Sounds of the 60s

Turkey & Tinsel 60’s

Turkey & Tinsel

Turkey & Tinsel

Turkey & Tinsel

4th Nov 2016 • 3 Nights Prices from £119pp

7th Nov 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £139pp

11th Nov 2016 • 3 Nights Prices from £119pp

14th Nov 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £139pp

18th Nov 2016 • 3 Nights Prices from £119pp

Turkey & Tinsel

Christmas 50s & 60s

Christmas Happy Days

Turkey & Tinsel

Turkey & Tinsel

21st Nov 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £139pp

25th Nov 2016 • 3 Nights Prices from £119pp

28th Nov 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £139pp

2nd Dec 2016 • 3 Nights Prices from £119pp

5th Dec 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £139pp

Christmas Decade 5 Night Special

4 Night Christmas Break

6 Night Christmas Break

Sound of the Decades New Year Special

Sound of the Decades New Year Special

12th Dec 2016 • 5 Nights Prices from £139pp FB*

23rd Dec 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £429pp FB*

23rd Dec 2016 • 6 Nights Prices from £449pp FB*

29th Dec 2016 • 4 Nights Prices from £249pp FB*

30th Dec 2016 • 3 Nights Prices from £249pp FB*

Book Online and Save 10%** - Exclusive 2016 Online Booking Offer To celebrate the launch of our new website which enables you to book your Richardson’s Grown Ups only holiday online - we’re giving a 10% exclusive online discount on accommodation tariff, only when you book online.

01493 809 965 • www.RichardsonsHolidayVillages.co.uk *All prices shown half board per person per break unless stated otherwise by ‘FB*’ symbolising a Full Board only break. Single occupancy supplement may apply. Future bookings only.

Subject to availability and terms and conditions. Acts may vary. Star Act performs one night only, this may be any night during the break. Date shown is the start day of the break. **Offer excludes breaks that cannot be booked online. Offer also excludes extras and add ons such as full board upgrades. This offer is an introductory offer only and may be withdrawn at anytime. This offer is exclusive to online bookings only and not available offline. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be withdrawn at anytime. Future bookings only - discount not available when booking via telephone or on site.

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional

CONTENTS What’s on at the thearte 4 Classic tales, famous faces and legendary musicians – we shine the spotlight on this season’s biggest productions.

Heritage days out 12 If you’re looking to dig deep into the region’s past, read our guide to the best heritage days.

The best walking routes in East Anglia 19 Visit East Anglia tells us why the region is best discovered on foot.

Artistic inspiration 23 Take inspiration from the best art galleries and exhibitions coming up in the region.

Money Saving Expert 31 Ways to make money quickly, without going into any debt.

Cruising around Europe 35 TV presenter Jennie Bond shares her love and advice on cruising around Europe.

The region’s best gastropubs 52 We’ve pulled together a list of our favourite gastropubs in the region.

How to feel younger with Dr Hilary Jones 67 The doc explains some simple ways to keep your mind and body fit and young.

Events round up 81 Discover the best events and activities from around the region.

Publisher Sean Thompson Editor Ben Attenborough 01954 777070 ben@eastlife.co.uk Production Manager Craig Lewis Overseas Correspondent Emma Kemsley

Social Media Manager Nicole Ranaweera nicole@eastlife.co.uk Sales Manager (South Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex) Darren Marshall 07826 628680 darren@eastlife.co.uk

Area Manager (Herts, Beds & North Norfolk) Stewart Hedges 07595 894557 stewart@eastlife.co.uk Area Manager (Cambridgeshire & West Norfolk) Jim Leishman 01954 267635 jim@eastlife.co.uk

Accounts/enquiries 01954 268129 accounts@eastlife.co.uk Head Office Unit 4, Avenue Business Park, Elsworth, Cambridge CB23 4EY

livelifemag.co.uk | 3

THEATRE

A dazzling production of Chicago is coming to the Norwich Theatre Royal

What’s on at the theatre The theatre is always a great night out, and this season sees some fantastic shows tour our region. Classic tales, famous faces and legendary musicians – we shine the spotlight on this season’s biggest productions…

Norfolk Norwich Theatre Royal The season begins with adaptations of bestloved classics. ‘The Sound of Music’ will be charming the young and young at heart from 18-22 October, while the fairytale of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is played out in ballet from 26 – 29 October, and the month ends with a foot stomping and dazzling production of ‘Chicago’

on 31 October to 5 November.

Highlights of November include ‘An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore’ on the 13 November and the classic New York drama ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ from 14-19.

‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ is this year’s pantomime of choice, but for those looking to dance the night away or an exciting Christmas night out with friends check out ‘A Vision of Elvis’, which recreates the magic of Elvis in concert on 18 December. secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Sheringham Little Theatre Don’t miss comedy, music, magic and maylivelifemag.co.uk | 5

Romeo & Juliette at Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal

THEATRE

Will the lads bare all in the Full Monty, coming to the Norwich Theatre Royal? hem with the return of variety charity show Lights Up on 12 November. Shakespeare fans will be in their element as a screening of ‘King Lear’ will take place on 20 October, and ‘The Tempest’ offers something to look forward to in January with a screening on 11th. sheringhamlittletheatre.com Suffolk The Apex, Bury St Edmunds On 20 October Seann Walsh brings his brandnew show, ‘One for the Road’ to The Apex for a night of comedy gold.

Spotting the absurdity in everything, Seann’s observational mind is what will make you fall off your chair laughing this October.

Legendary rock ’n’ rollers The Undertones are celebrating their 40th Anniversary with national and international live shows, stopping at Bury St. Edmund’s Apex on 17 November!

This is a must-see for fans of the Derry fivepiece or those who simply enjoy the excitement of live rock ‘n’ roll! www.theapex.co.uk

Bury St. Edmunds Theatre Royal Set against the backdrop of iconic 60s girl groups and the likes of Dusty Springfield, ‘Be My Baby’ (17-22 October) follows nineteenyear-old Mary Adams, sent away to give birth to her illegitimate child shame free. Starring Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent in her stage debut alongside co-star Ruth Madoc (Hi De Hi), ‘Be My Baby’ is a poignant comedy that examines the naivety of the era of the 1960s, along with the importance of friendship.

The beautifully talented Ballet Theatre UK return to Bury’s Theatre Royal to re-tell Shakespeare’s classic love story, ‘Romeo & Juliette’, in dance on 21-23 November.

Passionate, innovative and a treat for the eyes, be transported to Renaissance Verona where the tragic tale unfolds. This is one for the calendar for all dance-enthusiasts! www.theatreroyal.org Essex Chelmsford City Theatre October welcomes the Essex Poetry Festival – livelifemag.co.uk | 7

Christmas Gift and Food Fair Sat 26 & Sun 27 November 10am to 4pm An opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping including homeware, jewellery, art, books toys and much more...

Live entertainment including

For more information or to book a stall please call 01245 380 719 or email fundraising@helenrollason.org.uk

Shop Shop and and be be nspired! nspired!

The Cathedral Shop on

The Cathedral Cathedral ShopShop on on Angel AngelHill, Hill,Bury BurySt StEdmunds Edmunds Hill, Bury St Edmunds Offering a large range of:

a large range ffering Gifts aOffering large range of: of: books Gifts- Cards - Cards- -Local Localinterest interest books - LocalArtisan interest books Artisan Gifts Artisangifts gifts- -Religious Religiousitems items––Classical Classical s - Classic music - Special sale- -Book events music – –Special sale music Special saleevents events Book ngs - Constantly changing stock! signings changing stock! signings- -Constantly Constantly changing stock!

EASTER EASTER- -We Wesell sellthe theReal RealEaster EasterEgg Egg £3.99, ay - Saturday from 10.00 amdecorations.

- 5 pm, £3.99,Easter Eastercards cardsand and decorations.

Open OpenMonday-Saturday Monday-Saturday from10.00 10.00am amtoto ndays 11.30 am to 4.00 pmfrom 5.00 5.00pm, pm,Sundays Sundays11.30 11.30am amtoto4.00 4.00pm. pm. www.stedscathedral.co.uk www.stedscathedral.co.uk www.stedscathedral.co.uk

Registered cha rity number 1052861

C helmsford City Racecourse ssex CM3 1QP M oulsham

Adults - £5

EAT & Drink

hs, E Hall Lane, Great Leig Concessions - £4

10%

Under 16’s - FREE

discount discount with with this this advert advert

Pilgrims’ Pilgrims’ Kitchen Kitchen at St Edmundsbury at St Edmundsbury Pilgrims’ Kitchen at St Edmundsbury Cathedral Cathedral Cathedral

offers a warm welcome and delicious, Enjoy aa great, home-cooked food.

Enjoy aa warm warm welcome welcome and and great, relaxing relaxing Open 8.30am to 5.30pm. place meet! place to to eat eat and and meet!

Home-cooked Home-cookedfood food l l Locally Locally sourced sourced ingredients ingredients Treat yourself to one of our delicious home made l l lBreakfasts Breakfastsl lCakes Cakes l l Lunches Lunches l Take-Away Take-Away cakes a tasty cream tea including scone, l l 10% discount lChanging ChangingMenus Menus l l Free Free Wi-Fi Wi-Fi l or 10% discount clotted cream and jam. for l licensed forgroups groupsl lFair Fair trade trade products products l Fully Fully l lPrivate Private hire hire available. available.

Open am to pm.in the spacious café OpenMonday Mondayto toSaturday Saturday 8.30 8.30 amfree to 5.30 5.30 Enjoy Wi-Fi or take your lunch outside in the peaceful garden.

Call Call01284 01284748 748738 738 pilgrimskitchen@stedscathedral.org pilgrimskitchen@stedscathedral.org

Private hire available Contact 01284 748738 or email pilgrimskitchen@stedscathedral.org www.stedscathedral.co.uk The Cathedral Office, Abbey House, Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1LS

THEATRE

The Undertones will be performing at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds The Only Way is Poetry, with a dazzling array of national and local poets. This year’s festival includes readings by Costa Book of the Year 2009 winner Christopher Reid, Danielle Hope and Victor Tapner.

Music is high on the agenda this season with tributes to Nat King Cole on 23 October in ‘Unforgettable, The Nat King Cole Story’, The Illegal Eagles make a welcomed return on 25 October, and one of the best loved musicals of all time ‘Oliver’ steals the spotlight in November from 8-12.

‘Frank Sinatra - The Movie Years’ and ‘Some Guys Have all the Luck’, which tells the story of Rod Stewart are sure to be a sell out in February.

There’s plenty to cheer up the winter nights with a series of great comedy acts with Russell Kane on 16 November, and Henning Wehn on 17 Feb, being just a few of the top comedians that will have people rolling in the aisles.

www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres Mercury Theatre, Colchester Sondheim and Wheeler’s multi-award-winning musical takes to the Mercury stage in an exciting new production of ‘Sweeny Todd’ from 26 October to 12 November. Travel back in time to a dark, 19th century London for an evening of blood-pumping adrenaline.

Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off this January in the highlight of the visiting programme – the multi award-winning West End smashhit comedy, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Mercury Theatre pantomime, and this year ‘Dick Whittington’ is the seasonal family treat!

Mercury panto stars Dale Superville, Antony Stuart-Hicks and Ignatius Anthony are back to tell the rags-to-riches tale of Dick Whittington. www.mercurytheatre.co.uk livelifemag.co.uk | 9

Beauty and the Beast is coming to the Norwich Theatre Royal

THEATRE Cambridgeshire Cambridge Corn Exchange Beat the winter blues and laugh your way into November with performances from comedians Josh Widdicombe on 2 Nov, Stewart Lee on 3rd, Al Murray takes to the stage on 17 November followed by Jimmy Carr on 18th and Romesh Ranganathan on 29 November.

Pop-rock singer KT Tunstall’s 13 date UK tour takes a stop in Cambridge following the release of her new full-length album.

This rare gig on 6 November is not to be missed by fans of KT’s ‘Black Horse and a Cherry Tree’ days, nor for fans of the very best in guitar pop! www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/cornex Cambridge Arts Theatre David Walliam’s best-selling children’s story, ‘Gangster Granny’ comes to life from 25 – 29 October. Staying with granny isn’t all it seems in this charming stage production set to entertain children, parents and grandparents alike.

If it’s drama you’re looking for make sure you book tickets to ‘A Princess Undone’ from 19-22 October.

Stephanie Beacham stars alongside Jason Merrells in this riveting new play that sheds light on one of the Royal Family’s most controversial members.

The English Touring Theatre present the world première production of ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, by D.H. Lawrence from 22 – 26 November. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com Hertfordshire Watford Colosseum Be transported on an exciting journey through space and time on 4 November! The acclaimed Professor Brian Cox OBE, presents his live show, delving into ‘high science’ and the edges of the cosmos!

One of the most popular films of all time comes to the stage in a dazzling new production of ‘Miracle On 34th Street: The Musical’ from 21 -24 December. Featuring all time

classic songs, such as ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’, this heart-warming tale is one for all the family. watfordcolosseum.co.uk The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage ‘Hairspray’ brings a night of musical fun from 3-5 November with Rare’s take on a favourite Broadway production set in 1960s Baltimore.

Expect sing-along-tracks and a night of musical entertainment for all the family!

The Russian Ballet presents ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘The Nutcracker’ on 8 and 9 November, while psychic, Sally Morgan, takes to the stage on 11 November. There’s dinner and dancing with ‘In The Mood – Christmas Ball 1940’s Style’ on 16-17 December. www.gordon-craig.co.uk Bedfordshire Grove Theatre, Dunstable The Circus of Horrors celebrates its 21st Anniversary as it takes to the road with its latest incarnation, The Never-Ending Nightmare.

Coming to Grove Theatre on 18 November, the spectacular features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre, brave and beautiful acts all woven into a Alice in Horrorland-type story driven by a mainly original soundscape and performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek! www.grovetheatre.co.uk The Quarry Theatre, Bedford To celebrate 40 years since the release of Bugsy Malone, The Quarry Theatre is hosting a special exhibition of behind the scenes photos from the filming of Bugsy Malone.

Available to view until 23 December, it provides a glimpse into a world rarely seen on set from a film that remains in the hearts of generations of film fans.

On 3 November, ‘Adolf’ is live theatre at its best with a theme and subject that touches us all. It is powerful, dramatic, challenging, divisive, illustrative and educational. www.quarrytheatre.org.uk/whats-on livelifemag.co.uk | 11

DAYS OUT

Take a step back in time...

Discover Layer Marney Tower with a view from the church

For thousands of years man has settled in East Anglia, leaving little pieces of a time gone by.

In today’s modern world, it’s easy to sometimes forget the lives of those before us, fortunately East Anglia is full of historic treasures just waiting to be discovered. If you’re looking to dig deep in to the region’s past, read our guide to the best heritage days out…

Essex The sheer numbers of people attending Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations across Essex, highlights the nation’s desire to not forget the sacrifice made by men and women in conflicts spanning the last century.

With its proximity to London and 350 miles of coastline, Essex is a county redolent with history revolving around struggles for freedom and power over two millennia.

From the Boudicca-led Celtic revolt against 12 | livelifemag.co.uk

Roman rule in AD61 to the Cold War, Essex has provided the backdrop to bloody struggles, ill-starred rebellions and bold redoubt in the face of over-whelming odds.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Boudicca – Queen of the Iceni tribe – became forever associated with Essex, after her forces attacked the city of Camulodunum, now Colchester, and what was then the Roman capital of Britain.

Although Boudicca went on to raze St Albans and London to the ground, she was ultimately defeated.

Colchester Castle was built on the foundations of the Romans’ Temple of Claudius by the invading Normans after 1066 and today reveals many fascinating layers of history to visitors.

Over at Stansted, Mountfitchet Castle is a faithful recreation of a wooden Norman motte and bailey defensive structure. The castle grounds also feature a Norman village that viv-

DAYS OUT idly brings to life the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle Ages.

Another Norman landmark is the magnificent keep that forms Hedingham Castle.

Dating back to 1140, Hedingham was built by Aubrey De Vere II, whose father had fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman invasion of 1066.

Some of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe during the Middle Ages owned Hadleigh Castle – not to mention English kings too.

The romantic ruins of the former hunting base of Edward I and royal retreat of Edward III had once been an impressive fortress built to repel French invaders during the 100 Years War. In a succession of handovers, the castle was variously passed amongst the nobility from 1299; including Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen Margaret and Isabella of France. During the reign of Henry VIII, Hadleigh was gifted to Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves and Catherine Parr. Ironically, it had also at one time been under the possession of Aubrey De Vere.

You can explore what remains of the castle at the beautiful Hadleigh Country Park.

Associations with Henry VIII – and indeed, Elizabeth I – abound in Essex. Further down the Thames Estuary from Hadleigh Castle, is one of the most famous sites of Tudor history –Tilbury Fort. Built by her father, Elizabeth famously rallied her forces in the face of the oncoming Armada in July 1588 with her famous speech, “I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king.”

Tilbury Fort offers a great day out for history buffs to explore the site, including its magazine houses once used to store gunpowder, and feel what it was like to live there as one of the soldiers responsible for defending London.

Less than an hour’s drive away are the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey. Bursting with over 300 years of explosive history, this once top secret location retells the science and drama behind the former ballistics base.

The deep-seated – and today, somewhat irrational – fear of our neighbours, the French, goes back centuries. Of course, during the early 19th Century, Napoleon gave good grounds for this and the English response can be explored at various points of the county’s coastline. The Jaywick Martello Tower, near Clacton, is a fine example of its type and offers a far, far warmer welcome to visitors than it would have done back in 1809. Similarly, the Harwich Redoubt fort is a fine example of how fear of the radical politics and bloody, social upheaval of the French Revolution (begun in 1789) terrified the English into building defensive structures to repel the zealous French and their ilk.

Stow Maries Aerodrome, near Maldon, is the last surviving World War 1 airfield and was originally created to combat German Zeppelin raids and bombing attacks from its Gotha aircraft. Many of the original buildings are still in situ and several have been faithfully restored to their original wartime condition. The airfield still plays host to visiting aircraft from the WW1 era and the museum gives a fascinating insight into this important and now unique aspect of our Great War heritage.

Naturally, as the home county of radio in the UK, Essex was also at the forefront of developing radar technology during WW2.

Beacon Hill Fort, Harwich, is a fine example of how ancient buildings were called into service in the 20th Century, hundreds of years after they were first constructed. Dating back to 1534, Beacon Hill became home to the country’s first radar tower during the early 1940s.

In the 1950s the huge underground Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker – that could house up to 600 military and civilian personnel, possibly even the Prime Minister – was built with the purpose of organising the survival of the population in the awful aftermath of a nuclear war. Since being decommissioned in 1992, the bunker has been open to the public as a tourist attraction, with a museum focusing on its Cold War history.

For more information about all the places livelifemag.co.uk | 13

A mediaeval re-enactment at Mountfitchet Castle

DAYS OUT mentioned and other places of historical interest in Essex, visit www.visitessex.com Norfolk For millions of years Norfolk has been playing its part in evolution, but it’s the county’s city that has established itself as a historic destination. Norwich is home to some of the region’s most beautiful historic attractions including the Cathedral, St Andrews Hall and Stranger’s Hall.

Throughout the year a number of tours are available. Take a guided walking tour of the city is a great an opportunity to learn about architecture and buildings, and participants also get the inside story on past city characters and their misdemeanours!

Tours begin from the The Forum, and whilst drop-in tours are programmed between June and August, private tours for up to 20 can be arranged at any time throughout the year.

A tour with a group of friends or like minded people is great fun! For more details call 01603 213993 or visit www.visitnorwich.co.uk Strangers’ Hall at Charing Cross is one of Norwich’s best kept secrets and one of the most delightful ways to spend a few hours in the heart of the city. Once home to wealthy merchants and Mayors when Norwich was in its heyday, this beautifully preserved building dates back to 1320.

Today it is a wonderful museum exhibiting authentic dressed rooms such as the Tudor Great Hall, the Georgian dining room and Lady Paine’s 17th century bedroom.

It is open from June to September in high season, but also throughout December. Low season runs from October to December and mid-February to end of May. Open days are selective so it’s best to check all details online before arrival at www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/Visit_Us/Strangers_Hall/ index.htm Those looking for something a little different should choose the Vile and Horrible History of Norwich tour this October.

Taking place from 22 – 30 October at 4pm

and 6pm, the tour starts at Norwich Cathedral’s Erpingham Gate and discovers the darker side of Norwich’s past with a cloaked guide revealing the gruesome truth behind some of the city’s best known spots.

You can also burn off the Christmas calories with a festive walk from The Forum on 28, 29 and 30 December at 11am.

For more details visit the website at www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/whatson Suffolk The churches and villages of Suffolk play a significant part in the county’s heritage. Often the most beautiful of churches can be found in the wool towns such as Lavenham, Sudbury and Clare.

A trip to Suffolk wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a stately home. Garden lovers should head to the National Trust’s Ickworth House, where you can spend the afternoon walking around the beautiful Italianate gardens and exploring exhibitions which reveal its connection and memorabilia of the Great War. Immerse yourself in the heritage of Kentwell Hall and watch its regular Tudor re-enactments, and discover the memntos of Beatrix Potter at Melford Hall. English Heritage’s Framlingham Castle, tells the tale of famous battles and is a fantastic destination for a family day out.

Tie in your visit with a Falconry display on 29-30 October, and 27-29 December. For details visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/framlingham-castle/events For fans of horseracing Newmarket is the ultimate destination.

Horseracing is central to history and heritage in Suffolk, and the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and British Sporting Art, opening in Newmarket late 2016, will show this history in vivid colour.

The Palace House in which the new site is located, was originally built as a sporting palace for Charles II, a monarch whose passion and pioneering ideas for racing and breeding is still enriched in the sport 350 years on. livelifemag.co.uk | 15

Holiday Fun

VisiT The world’s oldesT Mechanised PaPer Mill

at Frogmore Paper Mill

indusTrial heriTage in acTion

Over 60 antiques dealers under one roof selling a wide range of antiques, collectables and vintage items.

Frogmore is a visitor centre and working paper mill still using a 114 year old machine to as on make paper for specialist n e e s Bc B it! customers. g At Frogmore Mill you will Flo find out about the fascinating history of paper, learn how to make a piece of paper by hand, see heritage papermaking and printing equipment, often in action. We also have a shop and a cafe Paper sessions - 2pm to 4pm Monday to Thursday. servingCrafting light refreshments. £3 per child, adults free. No need to book.

OpenWe for supply drop-inthe visits every Thursday and the creativity. materials, you supply on the first Sunday of every month from Tutored Friday 11.00 to 16.00 and for pre-booked groups Fun sessions of Themed 10+ any Monday to each Fridayweek (or for- Mad 30+, Hatters Tea Party, Buildtoo). a Blimp, & Robots, Sundays Call Rockets Maureen on 01442 Gnomes & Fairies (seefor our website for details & dates). 1pm to 4pm.

234600 group and package details. £5.00 per person. BOOK IN ADVANCE T: 01442 234600 www.thepapertrail.org.uk T: 01442 234600 Frogmore Paper Mill www.thepapertrail.org.uk

Visit our Arts & Crafts Beach Huts and The Flying Goose Café.

There are five acres of open gardens and fields to enjoy and ample free parking.

July 25 to auGuST 31

Fourdrinier Way, Apsley Frogmore Paper Mill Hemel Hempstead 9RY HP3 9RY Fourdrinier Way, HemelHP3 Hempstead

We are open 6 days a week: Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 5. 00pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm Closed Tuesdays.

01728 668844

www.yoxfordantiques.com Find us on the A1120, between Yoxford and Peasenhall (IP17 3JW).

CharityNo No1079008 1079008 Charity

Discover

The Cambridge Story at the Round Church 'the best place to begin exploring the city'

Cambridge Park & Ride – getting you right into the heart of Cambridge Buses depart every 10 minutes Mon-Sat during the day and every 20 minutes after 6.30pm

Every 15 minutes (9am - 6pm) Sundays and public holidays Open seven days a week Up to three children travel free with every fare paying passenger Concessionary pass holders travel for free with their passes after 9.30am Monday to Friday, and all day at the weekend and on bank holidays The bus fare is £3 return and parking cost £1 for up to 18 hours and can be paid in advance via VIVOPARK – visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/parkandride to find out more.

The Park & Ride Group Ticket is £8.50 and can only be purchased from the driver – it allows a group of up to 5 people to travel together.

Visitor Centre Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 1.30-5pm, Sun 1.30-4pm £2.50 entrance including exhibition and film Walking tours Tues / Thursday / Alternate Fridays 2pm, Sat & Sun 2.30pm £10 (Student £8) Find us on Bridge Street, opposite St johns College www.roundchurchcambridge.org 01223 311602

Park & Ride Weekly tickets cost just £13 and are valid for 7 days Further information: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/parkandride

the best of Suffolk

51

The historic streets of Lavenham in Suffolk

DAYS OUT

Happisburgh Beach in Norfolk

Put your best foot forward Visit East Anglia tells us why the region is best discovered on foot…

W

ith a stunning coastline, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic woodlands and forests, fabulous nature reserves and the Broads National Park, this region is best discovered on foot.

And while Noel Coward was mistaken when he declared, ‘Norfolk –very flat!’, the East of England is nonetheless easy on the calves. No mountains here!

Cambridgeshire In Cambridgeshire we recommend visiting the Fenland waterways around Anglesey Abbey, Ely, St Ives, Huntingdon and Wicken Fen. Or what could be better than a walk by the Cam and discovering the delights of our historic university city? Where the bridge is, obviously.

Suffolk In Suffolk there’s beautiful Constable Country to explore as well as around the magnificent

Wool Towns of Lavenham, with 340 listed buildings and often referred to as the best-preserved medieval village in England, Kersey, which is so beautiful it’s been named in the top 10 villages in Britain, Cavendish with its ‘Suffolk Pink’ cottages, Clare with its priory, castle and country park, Sudbury by the picturesque River Stour, Hadleigh and Long Melford.

There’s gentle walking in the Waveney Valley, across Dunwich Heath where you could pop in to Minsmere and follow in the birdwatching footprints of the BBC’s Springwatch team, or stretch your legs along the rivers Orwell, Blyth, Alde or Deben.

Norfolk Norfolk’s big news is the completion this year of the Coastal Path along the county’s entire 90-mile seashore…or it might be 93 miles when the tide is out! The trail also links into the county’s other main paths, through the Nar Valley Way at King’s Lynn, Peddars Way at Holme-next-the-Sea, Paston Way at Cromer and also Weaver’s Way between Cromer and livelifemag.co.uk | 19

Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire

DAYS OUT

Sand dunes on Holkham Beach, Norfolk Great Yarmouth.

Birdwatching fans will enjoy the sights of The Wash, particularly at Snettisham, and further along the coast there are wonderful nature reserves at Holme-next-the-Sea, Titchwell and Cley-next-the-Sea. The path then leads through tidal creeks and salt marshes around Brancaster before going on to Wells-next-theSea and then past the Blakeney Point estuary.

If you look closely you might just see the seal colony basking on the shore!

Then the ground starts to rise as you head to the cliffs around Sheringham and Cromer, where you’re likely to see a train from the North Norfolk Railway, otherwise known as The Poppy Line, puffing on its way to Holt via Kelling Heath.

This is the start of Norfolk’s Deep History Coast, from West Runton through to Happisburgh. It was on these shores that archaeologists have found the biggest and best-preserved mammoth skeleton ever discovered, a half million year old flint axe that would have been the Swiss Army knife of its time, and 850,000 year old human footprints – the earliest evidence of man found outside the Great Rift Valley in Africa and evidence that the first tourists ever

to come to England holidayed in Norfolk!

Elsewhere, if not by boat, the best way to get around the Broads, now designated a National Park, is on foot. It’s a great chance to really commune with nature, so remember to pack your binoculars. Wensum Way, Marriott’s Way, Wherryman’s Way and Weavers’ Way all feature in Broadland.

Further south in Norfolk there is Boudicca Way, which has its ends at Norwich Thorpe Station and Diss Station so you can take a walk and then have a leisurely train journey back to where you began, and Angles Way between Diss and Thetford, from where you can go on to explore the wonderful Thetford Forest, which was only planted just after the First World War by the Forestry Commission. Before then the area was described as ‘a mere African desert’. If you’re in the forest try out the eight-mile Pingo trail, circular lakes formed in the last ice age.

There is so much to discover in this region – but it’s best when you’re wearing your walking boots.

Article courtesy of Visit East Anglia www.visiteastofengland.com livelifemag.co.uk | 21

We’re all ready to get started on your Christmas Cards, your Fine Art Giclée prints to sell for Christmas presents and your 2017 Calendars, give us a call today to find out more!

Call us on 01223 904032 E-mail us at enquire@photoartgb.com Visit us at www.photoartgb.com Rectory Farm 1 Brewery Road Pampisford Cambridge CB22 3EN

Unique glass beads,beads, jewellery and more Unique glass 1 Albert Street, Holtmore NR25 6HX jewellery and 01263 478020

1 Albert Street, Holt NR25 6HX www.seahorsestudio.co.uk seahorsestudio@icloud.com 01263 478020 Find www.seahorsestudio.co.uk me on Facebook! www.facebook.com/seahorsestudioholt seahorsestudio@icloud.com

Best of British Entertainment Musical entertainment performed by the Royal Air Force’s finest musicians. The programme includes Dambusters March, Chariots of Fire, Devil’s Gallop, Bring Me Sunshine, 633 Squadron, O Fortuna, Impossible Dream, Crown Imperial and the RAF March Past

Thursday 1 December - Cliffs Pavilion, Southend southendtheatres.org.uk 01702 351 135

Saturday 3 December - Ipswich Regent, Ipswich ipswichregent.com 01473 433 100

Sunday 4 December - Theatre Royal, Norwich theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 01603 630 000 Performed by the

Bands of the Royal Air Force

as seen at the Festival of Remembrance and Edinburgh Tattoo

For more information visit rafinconcert.com

THE ARTS

Take artistic inspiration Written by Collette Hoefkens As the autumn mellows into darker days, nature unfurls her quieter but no less beautiful canvas, so do the regions superb independent original fine art galleries. Full of magic and wonder they offer a soul sustaining inspiration to see us through the colder months ahead.

Autumn and Winter Collection 2016 12 November - 12 March Norton Way Gallery 51 Norton Way North, Letchworth, Hertordshire, SG6 1BH November sees the launch of Norton Way Gallery’s Autumn and Winter Collection 2016.

Bringing together new pieces from the gallery’s regular artists, including Anne Songhurst and myself, Collette Hoefkens, this show will also introduce the highly esteemed wildlife artist, Neil Cox. www.nortonwaygallery.com Illustrators and Artists Exhibition 26 November – 24 December Hayletts Gallery Oakwood House, 2 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PJ Starting on the 26th November you can visit a very special collection at the Hayletts Gallery.

Sally Patrick has been running the gallery since 2003 and is particularly excited about this forthcoming Illustrators and Artists exhibition.

Combining works from some of the most famous British illustrators from the last century to the present day, there will be pieces from artists such as Quentin Blake, best known for illustrating the books of Roald Dahl, (including BFG , Matilda and The Witches) to famous British artists such as Paula Rego, who has illustrated Peter Pan and Jane Eyre. www.haylettsgallery.com

Linocuts by Robert Gilmore will be on display at The Aubrey Art Gallery Ten out of Ten 18 November – 31 December Lime Tree House, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9JF Also in November, The Lime Tree Gallery will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a superb new group show called Ten out of Ten. Each exclusive artwork will be 10 inches by 10 inches square and created by one of the gallery’s many favourite artists. Included amongst this prestigious group is dynamic oil painter, Judith Bridgland. Gallery partner Sue, is passionate about the honesty and integrity of genuine art. Every piece in the gallery is original, including their collection of artists’ etchings and linocuts. www.limetreegallery.com Christmas Show 3 November – 8 January Thompson’s Gallery 175 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5AN The Thompson’s Gallery, Suffolk, also present a magical festive delight, with a mixed show livelifemag.co.uk | 23

Narcissi in Bluebell Woods, Dalkeith by Judith I Bridgland

THE ARTS 14 Market Place, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BW The beginning of 2017 sees The Bircham Gallery presenting a graphic art exhibition Modern British Masters. From January to February you will be able to catch this outstanding and influential show, including works from Sir Peter Blake, Barbara Rae RE and a collection of ceramics by Barry Stedman. www.birchamgallery.co.uk

Any Which Way by Maurice Blik from their impressive catalogue of work, including thought provoking oils from the intriguing brush and palette of Douglas Gray. www.thompsonsgallery.co.uk The United Artists Group and Resident Artists Display December and November The Aubrey Art Gallery Post Office Yard, High Street, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1AW Throughout December and January the Aubrey Art Gallery will continue to celebrate the unique quality of original art with a new show from the United Artists Group. The gallery will also be displaying a collection of work from their regular resident artists. They are particularly overjoyed to be representing the exquisite linocuts of Robert Gilmore. www.aubreyartgallery.com Modern British Masters 14 January – 8 February Bircham Gallery

Print Fair 10 February – 19 February The Southwold Gallery 64a High Street, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6DN The Southwold Gallery also starts the year with huge enthusiasm.

They will be holding their very popular annual Print Fair in February. Look out for etchings of haunting atmosphere and beauty from Chrissy Norman and colourful joyous country and coastal linocuts from Rob Barnes. www.southwoldgallery.co.uk Spring Visits 4 March Sculpt Gallery Braxted Park Road, Tiptree (near Great Braxted), Colchester, Esesx, CO5 0QB Finally, in March the Sculpt Gallery in Essex welcomes you to visit. Now in its sixth year the gallery has become a destination for anyone with a passion for sculpture, ceramics and glass. Promoting the work of approximately 25 national and local artists they re-open after their short winter break, on Saturday 4 March.

2017 will be a particularly significant year for the gallery’s principal artist, Maurice Blik.

His major new bronze sculpture will be completed and installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Commissioned by the British Evacuees Association, this beautiful 4.5-metre-long piece has been created to commemorate the evacuation of children from British towns and cities to the safety of the country during the Second World War. www.sculptgallery.com livelifemag.co.uk | 25

ww

ggss

--tth --n hiin n n l l o o oo

Comeininand and see knitting, crochet, Come see us us forfor all all youryour knitting, crochet, cross crossstitch, stitch, tapestry, haberdashery needs. tapestry, haberdashery needs.

Relax and enjoy your past time with like minded

Relax and enjoy your past time with like minded people at one of our crafty clubs or brush up your people at one of our crafty clubs or brush up your skills skills or learn something new. We will be running or learn something new. We will be running workshops all workshops : Beginners Knitting , through the year from these February include Beginners Crochet, Beginners Beginners Crochet, Toe Up Socks , Circular Knitting Knitting, Circular Knitting,Tunisian Crochet, for more details for more telephone details telephone 01462612889.

01462612889.

OPENING TIMES TIMES OPENING Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm Thursday 9.30 am - 3.00 pm Thursday 9.30 am - 3.00 pm Friday & Saturday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm Friday & Saturday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm

Please phone or email for further details Please phone or email for further details

3-5 Hitchin Street, Baldock, Herts SG7 6AL 3-5 Hitchin Street, Baldock, Herts SG7 6AL

01462 612889

01462 612889 Email: info@wool-n-things.co.uk Email: info@wool-n-things.co.uk

www.wool-n-things.co.uk www.wool-n-things.co.uk

Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra WEDNESDAY 12th OCTOBER 2016 | 7.30pm Czech National Symphony Orchestra SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2016 | 7.30pm Martin Roscoe Recital SUNDAY 4th DECEMBER 2016 | 3.00pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The Music of John Williams SUNDAY 22nd JANUARY 2017 | 7.30pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra SUNDAY 5th MARCH 2017 | 7.30pm Michael Petrov (Cello) with Alexander Ullman (Piano) SUNDAY 12th MARCH 2017 | 3.00pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra SUNDAY 2nd APRIL 2017 | 7.30pm Endellion Quartet SUNDAY 23rd APRIL 2017 | 3.00pm Fidelio Trio SUNDAY 7th MAY 2017 | 3.00pm Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra SUNDAY 21st MAY 2017 | 7.30pm

southendtheatres.org.uk Tel:

01702 351135

W&M SMITH

Candle Lanterns

Artificial Fruits

Wedding Accessories Christmas Decorations

Open Monday & Thursday 10am - 7pm; Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 10am - 5pm.

Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday by prior appointment only

For all those special occasions in your life...

Visit our showroom for your floral artistry and craft needs.

Pightle Barn, Blacksmiths Lane, Middlewood Green, Stowmarket IP14 5EU

www.wandmsmith.co.uk Tel: 01449 711014 Fax: 01449 711815

LIFESTYLE

A History of Norwich In the lead up to Christmas Norwich comes alive with festivities, but long before the markets, Lanes and restaurants, the city was creating a rich history, including becoming the home of the Christmas cracker!

Let’s start at the beginning The earliest evidence of Norwich dates back to an Anglo-Saxon settlement just north of the River Wensum. This position made it good for trading goods as transportation was easier over sea than land and the settlement soon became a market town.

This settlement became known as ‘North Wic’ as Wic means port, from which the modern name is derived.

Norwich quickly became a very important town and had its own market, ditch and settlement.

As the town grew in size and status it soon expanded the south of the river, and even had its own mint. All buildings at the time would have been made of wood with thatched roofs, which made it vulnerable to attack. When the Danes invaded in 1004, Norwich was burnt.

However, Norwich and its people were very resilient and it was soon rebuilt again, with the Danes leaving their mark by giving the names ‘Pottergate’ meaning the word street, ‘Fishergate’ and ‘Tombland’ meaning empty space, and ‘Fingelgate’ meaning bend or elbow.

LEFT: Watercolour painting of Tudor half timbered houses and cobbled streets at Norwich in Norfolk

528 | livelifemag.co.uk

LIFESTYLE

Tales of Christmas past Christmas is a magical time, but in Norwich in the year 1647, it saw a bitter fight between the Puritan preachers, who had spent a long time petitioning the mayor for a quick thorough reformation, and the apprentices, who had counter-petitioned that the Christmas festivities must be permitted.

One of the great family pleasures over the Christmas table is the pulling of Christmas crackers and one of the greatest names in Christmas crackers was that of the London based firm of Tom Smith, who in 1953 relocated to Norwich to join forces with Caley Crackers at their factory at the ‘Fleur de Lys’, which is now in the Chapelfield Shopping Centre.

The design of art work for the crackers was undertaken by East Anglia Artist Alfred J Munnings, later Sir Alfred, who also designed for Colman’s mustard and Caley’s Chocolate.

A majority of this period of work can be found in the Norwich Castle Museum. Sir Alfred also went on to win a gold medal in the London Poster Competition.

Today Tom Smith is a subsidiary of Napier Industries, the largest manufacturer of crackers in the world.

One of the finest drinks to indulge in after a family Christmas dinner is the customary glass of Port, which reminds me of the well-known saying, ‘Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?’

At a dining table where the guest does not

pass the decanter of Port to his or her neighbour it becomes a standstill. It is considered ill advised to ask for the decanter to be passed on.

Therefore as the guest still waiting for the decanter to arrive becomes impatient, the guest that is stopping the decanter being passed on is then asked politely: “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” which becomes a polite request to have the decanter moved on. But where does the saying come from?

Henry Bathurst was the Bishop of Norwich between 1805 – 1837, who lived to the ripe old age of 93. His health and eye sight were deteriorating and during a meal he was prone to fall asleep towards the end, therefore he was not able to pass the decanter of Port. Others claim it was to do with John Sheepshanks, Bishop of Norwich between 1893 – 1910, and in fact a portrait of Bishop Sheepshanks is on show at Taylor’s ‘Quinta de Vargellas’ to remind all guests to pass the Port.

From architecture, Christmas crackers and table manners, we owe it all to the ancestors of our fine city!

Article courtesy of Michael Chandler at East Anglia Media City www.eastangliamediacity.co.uk

Norwich Castle Museum is a great resource for discovering more about the history of the region

livelifemag.co.uk | 29

Beccles Sewing & Handicrafts DRESSMAKING & CRAFT FABRICS HABERDASERY & CRAFT REQUIREMENTS SEWING MACHINES REPAIRS & SALES Authorised dealer for: JUKI, JANOME, BROTHER, BABYLOCK, PFAFF, BRITANNIA, SINGER & JAGUAR

Your local computer experts

Now in store the New Brother Innov-IS VR machine Plus Much More...

PC and Laptop Repairs l New and Refurbished computers l Virus removal and diagnostics l Ink Cartridges l

55 Market Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4LP

15A Blyburgate, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TB

www.elycomputers.co.uk

Telephone 01502 714234

Specialists in Ecology, Arboriculture, Environmental Planning, and Sustainability Bright Green Environmental is a multidisciplinary environmental consultancy. We provide high quality, pragmatic and professional advice and solutions on environmental matters to our clients. Through working closely with our clients we are able to assist from the early stages of their projects to ensure environmental matters do not become issues, and in many cases can become opportunities. Theses principles extend across our range of services z

Why choose Bright Green Environmental?

Our team of specialist consultants, in house and trusted associates, are based in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, London and Sussex, and operate throughout the UK. We have offices in Newmarket, London and Chichester. Our client base extends across private individuals, developers, public sector, architects, planning consultants, waste management, mineral extraction, agriculture and food production.

ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS EUROPEAN PROTECTED SPECIES LICENSING (EPS) ARBORICULTURAL SURVEYS ARBORICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (LVIA’S) LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (EIA’S) PLANNING APPLICATIONS GRANT SOURCING AND APPLICATIONS SUSTAINABILITY AND RENEWABLE APPRAISALS

To explore our services and recent projects, please visit our website. For a free no obligation consultation on how our services maybe able to assist you or your business, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Phone

01638 751940

Email info@brightgreenenvironmental.co.uk Website brightgreenenvironmental.co.uk

FINANCE

Supercharge your income!

Fancy making some quick cash, possibly £1,000s? I know I sound like worst type of spam advert on the internet, promising riches. Yet they make you pay to find out what their big idea is, and usually it’s baloney, balderdash…or add your own B word.

H

owever, if you’re prepared to play the system, there are ways to make money – and some can pay at speed.

Recently in MoneySaving Towers, I heard two of my team, Sarah and Megan, comparing who made more from being bank tarts. Don’t worry, I’m not being rude, that’s what you call anyone who repeatedly switches to get free cash (Sarah’s £825 topped Megan’s £800).

And it’s that tale that inspired me to collate a host of different ways to speedily stuff cash in your coffers. Better still, start now and many of these techniques could yield a stash in time for Christmas.

1. Free £150+ for switching to a better bank account The fierce competition in the banking market means some bribe you to switch. As often these are best-buys anyway, take it and smile. In many cases, you get the cash within a month or two. There’s full details and eligibility info at www.moneysavingexpert.com/ bankaccounts, but in brief…

- Free £150 PLUS £4+/mth. www.co-operativebank.co.uk pays £150 within 45 days. Plus its Everyday Rewards scheme pays £4+/mth if you qualify. Its customer service rating in my recent poll of 260 customers was a strong 70% ‘great’.

- Free £100, No.1 service, 6% linked savings and 0% overdraft. www.FirstDirect.co.uk has won every customer service poll I’ve ever done – 91% rate it ‘great’. On top of a free £100 within 44 days, switchers get a £250 0% overdraft and you can put up to £300/mth in its linked 6% regular saver.

- Free £100 M&S gift card plus £10/mth. Bank.

MarksandSpencer.com doesn’t pay cash, but does give a £100 gift card within 30 days, plus pay in £1,000+ a month and you get £10/mth added for a year. Its service is a strong 68% ‘great’. It also has a £100 0% overdraft and a linked 6% regular saver.

- Free £100 plus £5/mth. www.Halifax.co.uk Reward pays £100 after just three days and also pays £5 each month you’re in credit - its service is also 68% ‘great’. Yet beware its overdraft which is very costly.

If you’re worried about how difficult switching is, I did a Twitter poll of 2,900 in July and 76% who’ve switched since 7-day switching launched in 2013 said it’s no or little hassle.

All that happens when you use the switching service is they close your old account, move direct debits and standing orders for you and auto-forward payments.

2. Make £1,500+ as a serial bank-account switcher It’s not just my team who are bank tarts. Having published how much some were making, people have got competitive with hoards writing to tell me they were Britain’s biggest bank tart. Simon Bartram and his wife have now earnt £1,565 over four years: “Inspired by Martin, we started switching...keeping track of the cash takes some doing but it’s well worth it”.

You can start by signing up to the bank accounts in point one above, but for doing it livelifemag.co.uk | 31

FINANCE multiple times you need to be a bit more careful, for example, it can impact your credit file.

For full help, pros and cons, see www.moneysavingexpert.com/banktartchamps 3. Get PAID to walk...

Sign up to free fitness rewards app Bounts.it, and connect it to your fitness tracker (including Fitbit, Jawbone, Garmin and iWatch) or smartphone app (like RunKeeper, MapMyfitness and Moves), and you’ll earn points when you walk, exercise or go to the gym.

The more exercise you do, the more points you earn, which can then be converted into vouchers, to be used at retailers and restaurants such as Amazon, John Lewis and M&S. Even if all you do is walk and hit 7,000 steps in a day you can get a £5 voucher within a few months, but do more exercise, and it’s far quicker. And if you’ve already got a fitness tracker, it’s a no brainer to connect the two.

4. Free £100 Amazon/M&S voucher within 3 months Accepted new applicants for the www.AmericanExpress.com/uk Gold Charge Card get 20,000 reward points if they spend £2,000 in the first three months. This isn’t a call to spend more, just do normal spending on it as long as it’s £700+/mth. The voucher usually lands within three months.

- What are the points worth? The 20,000 bonus is enough for a £100 voucher for Amazon, M&S and more (or you can transfer to airline and hotel loyalty-schemes). You earn one point per £1 spend on the card too.

- Warning: After a year

there’s a £140 fee. The £140 annual fee is waived in year one, so diarise to cancel if you want to avoid it.

- It’s a charge card, not a credit card. So you MUST repay IN FULL every month, or face a £12 penalty and a mark on your credit file. Best do it via direct debit.

5. Switched energy in last 6 years? Get £100s back in minutes Disgustingly, when you left an energy firm, if you were in credit it ran a ‘don’t ask, don’t get’ policy. That’s mostly changed now, but if you didn’t get your money - even if years ago - you can still ask.

Just call your old supplier to see if you’re owed money (quote your old account number if you can dig it out).

Many get £100s, some more, like one of my site users Col.Escargot: “The balance owing from 17mths ago was £1,364. Brilliant, but I do feel an idiot for not knowing how much I’d overpaid. I’d urge everyone to check.”

6. Find £100s of lost Tesco vouchers Vouchers last two years, but many forget them or lose them. Yet that isn’t the end of the game – you can reclaim old vouchers. If you’re a regular Tesco shopper especially you may be surprised at how much you’re due.

Don’t just spend them in store though, check if you can quadruple rewards. Redeem vouchers via Tesco Boost partners and you can get 3x or 4x points’ value, eg, £10 voucher becomes £40 at Café Rouge, £30 at Goldsmiths jewellers and more. Full help on how to do this in www.mse.me/tescoreclaim And these are just the tip of the iceberg, for 60 more such as flogging old wedding gowns, competitions for cash, mystery shopping, and being paid for filling in forms see www.mse.me/ boostincome Martin Lewis is the Founder and Chair of Money Saving Expert. To join the 10 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com livelifemag.co.uk | 33

TRAVEL

Jennie Bond cruises down The Rhine

Gently down the stream...

J

ennie Bond is well known for her work as a journalist, television presenter and of course for her former role as the BBC’s royal correspondent. Perhaps less known is her absolute love of cruising, which over the years has taken her to oceans near and far.

Now, Jennie has embarked on her first-ever European river cruising experience down The Rhine – taking in the fabulous sights and dramatic castles and scenery from Breisach all the way up to Amsterdam. Here Jennie provides an insight into her foray into river cruise holidays: “Somehow, despite decades of cruising, we’d never made it to river cruising. We do love ocean cruising and it has taken up much of our time, taking us all over the world. Yet as

Cruise Miles Ambassador at Reader Offers Ltd, the cruise grapevine kept nudging me with the news that river cruising was coming of age and I really ought to jump aboard before its popularity peaked and we were left behind.

“And so Essex’s Reader Offers arranged for us to spend a week on board Uniworld’s SS Antoinette cruising the Rhine and in particular passing through Linz. Now Linz, unknowingly, has a special place in my husband, Jim’s, heart as he and a friend have been observing the webcam that overlooks the Linz ferry for years.

“Our passing wave to Linz came towards the end of our cruise as we headed towards Amsterdam aboard our floating hotel. From the point of our departure in Breisach it was livelifemag.co.uk | 35

TRAVEL

Cruises offer impressive excursions clear to see that home for the week would be in the realms of five-star luxury. Our small river ship was longer and larger than I had expected, and its vast tinted windows proffered enviable panoramic views.

“Used to the grandeur of oversized ocean liners, our expectations for small ship river cruising were humble. Yet I was immediately struck by the opulence and stately feel, with exquisite attention to detail in the interior décor, and much more space than I had anticipated. The extent of the facilities was also impressive, with a pool, with jet stream, a spa, gym and cinema – all welcome and spacious entertainment areas.

“The attentive staff were always on hand; there are 65 on board and up to 150 guests.

To put that in the context of five-star service, the bartenders knew my preferred tipple, and everyone else’s, by day three.

“The excursions were really impressive, in both the choice provided as well as the quality, and in some cases, the uniqueness of the experience. Every day brought us to a new destination and another adventure.

“The visit to Colmar – sometimes described as the most beautiful town in the world – was a delight and gave me a brief opportunity to brush up my French while tucking into authentic flammekueche savoury pastry. Back in Germany, Heidelberg was fascinating and

On board the Uniworld’s SS Antoinette our guide, Sonia (who, by her own admission, resembled Mary Poppins), entertained us with all sorts of anecdotes and historical facts on a two hour walking tour.

“Wine tasting at a 14th century castle near Rudesheim was another winner as we were taken on a tour of Rieslings from the very dry to the very sweet. Although I have my preference, these tastings do showcase the best of regional viticulture and quash wine stereotypes effectively. Sadly, we foolishly missed out on a tour of the music museum in the town itself that our fellow guests raved about.

“What I love about cruise itineraries are the opportunities to try something new or different and to come away with a totally new perspective.

“Back on board, we spent one afternoon drifting past the historic castles perched along this 40-mile stretch of the Middle Upper Rhine. It was the perfect afternoon on deck the sun exceeded itself, the drinks kept coming and the scenery was stunning.

And that’s perhaps where river cruising comes into its own – the view is worth looking at and changes all the time. We still love ocean cruising, however, having enjoyed the sights, we’ll definitely be back for more small ship river adventures.”

For more information visit www.readeroffers.travel or call 0845 604 7479. livelifemag.co.uk | 37

TRAVEL

Going away for Christmas

T

here was a time when Christmas was all about child friendly delights like Santa Clause and leaving a carrot for Rudolf but when the children are all grown up, the festive season offers the opportunity for a completely different kind of Christmas - one that involves copious amounts of sun, some much deserved me-time or the fulfilment of long held ambitions to see far flung destinations. But where do you start? Here are our suggestions for perfect winter breaks abroad, sans children!

A luxury villa If you’re new to this travelling at Christmas lark then a villa could be just what you need, all of the comforts of home, freedom and flexibility to do what you want and your own swimming pool to laze around in on balmy days whilst Brits at home feel the chill of the mercury hitting zero.

And even if you’re used to villa holidays, the new generation of luxurious villas could surprise you. 5 Star Villa Holidays (www.5star villaholidays.com) have a nine bedroom, 13 bathroom mansion on the prestigious Reunion Resort in Orlando with its own bowling alley, sunken Turkish bath and outdoor fire pit!

A retreat Even if you exercise, meditate or take care of your health, there’s nothing quite like a retreat for pure unadulterated devotion to your own well-being.

Ideal for solo travellers, a group of friends travelling together or a couple with similar motivations, a retreat can help you to banish the sense of gloom that often accompanies the winter time, helping you return to the UK refreshed, positive and ready to take on life with renewed vigour.

There are some great options out there 38 | livelifemag.co.uk

Take a dip in a Turkish Bath too, Goddess Acumen (www.goddessacumen. com) has seven day retreats in Barbados in the gorgeous Mullins Bay area where each day is dedicated to a different goddess with activities designed to help you tap into their energy alongside daily yoga, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Think of it as getting a head start on those New Year’s resolutions!

Luxury backpacking A dream that most of us have is to see more of the world, maybe Asia, New Zealand, Australia or the Caribbean, but with increased experience and reduced responsibility comes the chance to travel authentically, getting to grips with the ‘real’ destination…luxuriously of course!

The Caribbean is one such destination that we have perhaps visited with the family, staying in a resort but missing out on the cultural experiences that bring a destination to life.

The great thing about the Caribbean is that you can pack a lot of sightseeing into one trip

TRAVEL

Would you like to spend Christmas in the Caribbean? your adventures specific to your destination with a spot of island hopping. such as Your Caribbean (www.yourcaribbean From visiting Barbados’ historic capital travel.com), who can organise itineraries that Bridgetown with its 17th century old town packed with pastel coloured buildings to head- not only take in different islands, but a wealth of Live It Like A Loing to the Indigecal experiences too nous Rastafarian such as Island DinVillage or famous ing, getting a taste Dunn’s River Falls for local flavours in Jamaica. Then and delicacies from there are the private street food to fine islands of Mustique, dining, and Nature’s Palm and Petit St. Gifts where you can Vincent or dropmake like Columping in on St Lucia bus and discover to hike up Gros the hidden treasPiton and enjoy Relax in your own private villa ures of your chosen the stunning views island. of the island from Of course, we the peak, there is have merely dipped our toe into the water of enough to do in the Caribbean to keep you the array of exotic Christmases that await you, busy for many Christmases to come. whether you choose to go for all out adventure, a spiritual awakening or something decaA helping hand dently luxurious, the world is your oyster!

There are companies that can help you to plan livelifemag.co.uk | 39

The Very Best Gifts This Christmas Time...

SA £1 VE PE

00

RC OU

PL

E

Potters Resort is just a short drive away on the Norfolk coast. With great variety entertainment and fantastic inclusive value, Potters is the perfect place to spend time with loved ones this Christmas.

FESTIVE ONE NIGHT BREAK

VALUE MINI MIDWEEK FESTIVE SHOWBREAK

Sunday 11th Dec – 1 Night

Monday 19th Dec – 2 Nights

Was £119 per person

Was £169 per person

Your Price £94 Save £25

Your Price £119 Save £50

VALUE MINI MIDWEEK FESTIVE SHOWBREAK

DRINKS INCLUSIVE* FESTIVE MAGIC OF SOUL & MOTOWN

Wednesday 21st Dec – 2 Nights

Tuesday 27th Dec – 1 Night

Was £169 per person

Was £149 per person

Your Price £119 Save £50

Your Price £124 SAVE £25

What’s included in your break?

Delicious food Sparkling evening and late night entertainment Comfy bed Extensive sports and leisure facilities Your drinks from 6pm* (on selected breaks)

To book your One Night Break and claim your exclusive Vanilla Magazine discount call 0333

3207 405 and quote ‘LIVELIFE’.

www.pottersholidays.com Potters Resort • Coast Road • Hopton-on-Sea • Norfolk • NR31 9BX *Drinks inclusive from 6pm until close of bars. Exclusions apply. Terms and conditions apply. ‘LIVELIFE’ must be quoted at time of booking. All prices shown are based on Standard Bungalow accommodation, supplements apply. For new bookings only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Our calls cost no more than the national rate and in many cases count towards inclusive minutes on landline and mobile contracts.

Welcome to High Lodge

A Unique Venue Situated in 100 acres of woodland and delightful countryside High Lodge offers a range of leisure activities, for all the family to enjoy, relaxing short breaks and good food in our refurbished cafe.

folk Tak e a bre ak in Sunny Suf We are just 10 minutes from Southwold

Relax

The

in our

Sunday Carvery

Luxury Lodges

Try Footgolf

Pay & Play 9 Hole Golf

12-2.30pm every Sunday

FREE

Relax in our Luxury Lodges

visit the website www.highlodge.co.uk email info@highlodge.co.uk tel 01986 784347 find us just off the A12 near Darsham Suffolk IP17 3QT

Have-a-Go Clay Shooting

SEARCH

High Lodge Darsham

2016 09 East Life live life General_107mm h x 148mm w 13/09/2016 13:48 Page 1 HL Gen Act Accom ad 148x107mm_b1.indd 1

Hidden Treasure... ...For all to enjoy Ufford Park Woodbridge A warm welcome and fantastic views await you at Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa. Open to guests, members & non-members, our family-friendly hotel boasts a fantastic 18 hole, par 71 golf course (suitable for all abilities), thermal suite spa, health club, swimming pool, Congo Rapids Adventure Golf Course and delicious locally sourced food served all day.

Everyone is welcome, even your four-legged best friend.

Why not pop in for a Paddy and Scott’s coffee, and a piece of homemade cake?

We would love to see you.

t

0844 477 6473 (local rate)

w www.uffordpark.co.uk Yarmouth Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1QW

12/10/2016 10:02

TRAVEL

The Swan at Lavenham

For adults only!

Pack your bags and get away for a little weekend of R&R

W

e all love spending time with our family, but now and then it’s nice to retreat to the solitude of the countryside, the plush surroundings of a luxury boutique hotel or the tranquillity of a white-walled spa. If this sounds like your idea of bliss, we’ve rounded up the best adult breaks for a weekend away this winter…

Foodie break – a Suffolk Feast Foodies rejoice, The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa has the perfect package to help you feast your way around Suffolk. The hotel is offering a foodie break for just £139 per person, which includes a gourmet five-course meal, overnight stay with full breakfast and a copy

of the Suffolk Feast Cookbook signed by the hotel’s head chef, Justin Kett.

Packed full with delicious recipes, interesting chef interviews and a useful food lover’s guide to feast your way around the county, the cookbook includes dishes and tips from Justin for you to try back home.

You will also get to sample his cooking when you dine by candlelight in the elegant AA two rosette Gallery Restaurant. The high timbered ceiling, minstrels’ gallery, exposed brickwork and impressive fireplace all set the scene for a special dining experience, while a sommelier is also on hand to offer advice on matching wines from The Swan’s extensive cellar.

To book call The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa on 01787 247477 or visit www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk livelifemag.co.uk | 43

ADVERTORIAL

STEP UP YOUR

STYLE

An exciting new home furnishing store has opened in Lowestoft. Kerry’s Home Furnishings is the creation of Andrew Kerry, the man behind the successful Mattressman firm. Andrew hopes to have similar success with his new business as with the Mattressman brand.

He plans to do this by deploying the same focus on good quality products at reasonable prices. The firm aims to blend modern and traditional, as well as heritage and style in everything it does.

Within the new store, based within the old Godfrey’s store in Lowestoft’s shopping zone, the furnishings and other products are displayed within a light and airy environment to really show them off to their best.

Customers can expect a wide range of choices from traditional elegance to modern flourishes.

This month the furniture section will be moving upstairs so that the ground floor can encompass a new cook shop offering a range of crockery, glassware, pots and pans, toasters and kettles.

There are also plans to add a floorings and carpets section with a choice of curtains and carpets for a range of kitchens, bedroom and lounges.

The business itself is a family concern that infuses staff with a friendliness and honesty in their dealings with customers. The broad range of furnishings on offer is reflecting in some of the brands on offer.

These range from Lebus and Buoyant furniture, kitchen fittings from the likes of Chippendale and Neff and carpets from Brintons and Abingdon as well as other brands.

There is also ample car parking on site, which makes the store an ideal destination for out of town shoppers looking for quality furnishings at affordable prices.

Kerrys Home Furnishings is a strong addition to range of brands by the man behind the hugely successful Mattressman business. The store promises to offer high quality furnishings at prices to match all budgets.

eastlife.co.uk

79

TRAVEL The Great Outdoors If you’re looking to get back to nature, then there’s no place quite like East Anglia to do so.

Stunning countryside, miles of coastline and the famous Broads means there’s plenty to explore.

If you’re looking to hop aboard the Broads, start your journey at Wroxham. Surrounded by stunning scenery, wilderness and wildlife, there’s no better way to explore than by taking to the water.

There are a number of reputable boat hire companies dotted along the banks where you can begin your adventure aboard a luxury cruiser. We recommend both Norfolk Broads Direct (www.broads.co.uk) and Barnes Brink Craft (www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk). It’s then out of the boat yard and along the River Bure to take in villages such a Horning, Woodbastwick and Ranworth, plus one or two riverside pubs for a spot of al fresco dining.

Don’t worry if boating is not your thing, there’s plenty of overnight accommodation on dry land too. Along the banks at Wroxham you’ll come across some of the Norfolk Broads most desirable holiday homes.

Complete with thatched roofs and verandas overlooking the water, the cottages have everything you need for a break on the Broads.

There’s plenty of reasonably priced options available at www.holidayletting.co.uk/wroxham New Year Celebrations Calm amid the festive storm is on offer at Congham Hall Hotel in Norfolk, which has launched a three-night ‘Recharger Break’ between Christmas and New Year, 27-30 December 2016.

Guests at the luxury boutique hotel, set in a Georgian manor house near King’s Lynn, will be welcomed with a cream tea before relaxing in the Secret Garden Spa, with its pool and thermal suite, as well as a full menu of indulgent treatments available to purchase.

Refreshing walks across local heaths, woods and beaches are also recommended, and an owl display in the hotel’s grounds will be laid

Relax at Congham Hall Spa on, with the chance to get up close to these enigmatic birds of prey.

The Recharger Break costs from £599 to £1,045 per room, based on two sharing, including all meals, drinks and entertainment.

Children under 12 are welcome to share their parents’ room for free, paying for meals as taken.

To book call 01485 600250 or visit www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk Adults only No matter how much you love your children sometimes it’s nice to escape, which is why Warner Leisure Hotels have adopted an adults only policy for its exquisite and exclusive hotels.

Head to Gunton Hall Coastal Village for a relaxing getaway in Suffolk. The location offers the best of both worlds, being close proximity to the beach, but also surrounded by 55 acres of woodland, gardens, a picturesque lake and pitch and putt course.

There’s plenty of entertainment at the leisure complex and a four rink championship indoor bowls hall. Mid-week, weekend and themed breaks are available.

For more details visit www.warnerleisure hotels.co.uk/hotels/gunton-hall-holiday-village livelifemag.co.uk | 45

TRAVEL

Have you ever explored Beccles by boat?

Explore Waveney Valley What would you do with 48 hours in Suffolk? If you prefer to spend your weekend breaks hopping between pretty market towns than rushing through a sightseeing check-list in a busy city, then your 48 hours in Suffolk would be well spent in the Waveney Valley.

Article courtesy of Visit Suffolk www.visitsuffolk.com

T

his tranquil corner of East Anglia is a veritable wildlife haven, boasting a rich variety of plants, animals and birds, and a navigable river that offers everything you could want: boat rides, canoeing and picturesque riverside pubs. And situated in these unspoilt surroundings are Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth, three destinations that epitomise the Waveney Valley’s charms. So what are you 46 | livelifemag.co.uk

waiting for? It’s time to pack your bags and dive in to your next 48-hour adventure.

Stage One: Shopping & Boat Rides in Beccles Situated on the banks of the river, Beccles is an ideal place to start your weekend in the Waveney Valley. Arrive at midday and you’ll have the afternoon to explore Beccles’ winding streets and market squares, not missing a chance to climb the town’s 97ft bell tower, which gives you stunning views of the Waveney Valley and Broads National Park, with the Suffolk coast visible on the eastern horizon.

Back on ground level you’ll discover the independent shops, designer boutiques, high

TRAVEL fascinating town features.

Foodies will want to explore Bungay’s renowned Earsham Street Deli (or enjoy a slice of homemade cake at the Earsham Street Café), while anyone with a passion for Suffolk beers should not miss a trip to St Peter’s Brewery. Situated a few miles outside Bungay in the village of South Elmham, this spectacular moated brewery offers pre-booked tours on Saturdays and Sundays from Easter to December, and food from Wednesdays to Saturdays during the summer.

Stage Three: Canoeing on the Waveney Halesworth Market © Visit England street brands and vintage stores that make shopping in Beccles a special experience. Art lovers will relish a visit to the Upstairs Gallery, while lovers of design will be enamoured by Vintage Mischief antique shop.

After a coffee in one of Beccles’ cafes, or a bite to eat in one of the town’s independent restaurants (Wine Vaults, Graze at The White Horse, and Baileys restaurant and deli are all popular choices amongst the locals), it’ll be time to head down to the river to catch a few rays of afternoon sun and watch boats sail gracefully past. Or better yet, catch the Big Dog Ferry from Beccles Lido and enjoy a 40-minute boat ride down the River Waveney to the Locks Inn, a gorgeous riverside pub with tables in the sunshine and East Anglian beers on tap.

Stage Two: Walks & Breweries in Bungay After spending the night in or around Beccles (nearby Wheatacre Hall Barns offers luxurious cottage stays on a beautiful farm, not to mention free bicycle hire), make the short drive to Bungay, a historic market town situated further up the River Waveney.

Walking the Town Trail you’ll discover Bungay’s medieval Buttercross, the ruins of Bigod’s Castle, almshouses, churches and many other

No visit to the Waveney Valley is complete without experiencing the river at its most picturesque from a canoe. From Outney Meadow Caravan Park in Bungay you can rent a canoe and spend the second afternoon of your trip exploring the river, spotting wildlife, and having lots of fun in the process!

Stage Four: History & Culture in Halesworth Halesworth is the perfect final overnight stop on your 48-hour adventure. In the morning you can step out onto its pedestrian Thoroughfare, a pretty street bustling with life and lined with excellent shops, from delis stuffed with local produce to bookshops, toyshops, vintage stores and more. Keep walking and you’ll discover more of Halesworth’s market town charms, such as the Market Place, St Mary’s Church and the old almshouses.

What makes Halesworth truly special is its artistic streak. Alongside several galleries and the community-run Old Print Works (location of local gigs and workshops), it boasts The Cut: an arts centre whose programme includes music, poetry events, art exhibitions, cinema, lectures and theatre. The Cut is the home of HighTide Festival Theatre, one of the leading producers of new plays and playwrights in the UK, whose annual festival is a highlight in the county’s theatrical calendar. livelifemag.co.uk | 47

S taithe n Willow Staithe ’n’ Willow is a beautiful thatched building, beside the river Bure on the Norfolk Broads.

The main building was built in 1695. In fine weather you can sit in the gardens and enjoy the view…Sundays’ are quite a spectacle on the river with the local sailing club racing along the Bure. This is a great place to stop, for refreshments, if you are cycling around the area.

NOW STOCKING Bromont Pro Tall H2O Insulated boot

• • • • • • •

Breakfasts Cream Teas Sunday Roasts • Special Occasions Fully Licensed Catered For Free Local Parking • Private Functions Daily Specials Board • 40 Seater Restaurant Gluten Free Options • Credit Cards Accepted • Dog Friendly All Year Round

16 Lower Street, Horning, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 8AA To make a reservation, please call 01692 630915

Outside Outside Caterers Caterers Ellingham, Nr Bungay (A143) Tel: 01508 518400 Open Mon - Sat / Easy Parking

www.crosswaysofellingham.co.uk

Outside Caterers

We We can can cater cater for for almost almost any any occasion, occasion, from birthday parties, hen parties, from birthday parties, hen parties, corporate corporate events, events, funerals, funerals, baby baby showers showers and and weddings. weddings.

We We can can supply supply aa full full waitress waitress service service and vintage crockery and vintage crockery if if desired. desired.

The Perfect Venue Wedding or private venue party

At Back to the Garden, a magnificent vaulted 18th century threshing barn your guests can enjoy a true taste of local quality - from a simple buffet to a formal 4-course meal. Back to the Garden offers everything that a successful wedding day should have.

Tel: 01263 715996 christopher@back-to-the-garden.co.uk www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk

Fakenham Road, Lethingsett, Nr Holt, NR25 7JJ

Hadleigh, Hadleigh, Suffolk Suffolk

Tel: 01473 806398 Mobile: 07900 900329 Tel: 806398 Mobile: 07900 900329 We01473 can cater for almost any occasion, info@angel-delights.com

www.angel-delights.com info@angel-delights.com www.angel-delights.com

from birthday parties, hen parties, corporate events, funerals, baby showers and weddings.

We can supply a full waitress service and vintage crockery if desired.

Hertford Farmers’ Market Every 2nd Saturday in the month, 8.30am – 1pm Located in Market Place

www.eastherts.gov.uk

Picnic themed cafe serving local homemade food to eat in or takeaway.

VISIT OUR SHOP

For an eclectic shopping experience

Breakfast.

Lunches.

Light Snacks

Opening times: Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm | Sun 10am - 4pm

Brick Yard Barn, Norwich Road, Hedenham, Bungay NR35 2DE

01508 483947

FOOD AND DRINK

Last of the Autumn wine Matt Dicks, a WSET qualified Beers, Wines and Spirits Specialist for Waitrose, selects his favourite wines to fall in love with this season…

A

s a former pupil at the village primary school, I have vivid memories of school assemblies. I used to sit at the back, out of sight from the teachers so I could chat to my fellow classmates.

We used to sing hymns from a small paperback book consisting of missing pages, ripped pages or a cover and no pages. One of those hymns was called ‘Autumn Days’. Remember it?

I won’t attempt to attach a voice recording to this article of me singing it because cracks in windows can cause an unwanted draught during this time of year. ‘Silk inside a chestnut shell’, ‘the grass is jewelled’ and ‘scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling’ were just some of the delightful lyrics used to describe the year’s most colourful season.

However, it’s not all about verses of hymns, as autumn is all about action in the world of wine. In the northern hemisphere, it’s harvest season. Grapes are being plucked from the vines in the vineyard by dozens of skilled workers, ready to be taken to the winery, where the magic of fermentation takes place.

After spending a year with a producer in Gloucestershire, harvest time was certainly the highlight. A constant stream of grapes arriving, ready to be de-stalked, crushed and pressed.

An all action week followed by misty weekends wearing that favourite cosy jumper whilst walking leafy lanes, was the perfect combination.

A colourful season requires some colourful wines, so here’s some wines to ‘fall’ in love with: 50 | livelifemag.co.uk

FOOD AND DRINK Terre di Faiano Primitivo A full-bodied and complex red from Southern Italy, with concentrated red berry flavours and a velvety finish. Pair with stews and casseroles, or pour a glass after a hard day’s work raking up those leaves in the garden.

Baron de Ley Gran Reserva Rioja Why do we go on holiday to Spain? Maybe because Thomson have a brilliant offer for 7-nights in the Algarve? Maybe because it’s hot? Well, both actually! A hot climate allows grapes to become riper and concentrated in flavour. All this results in a complex wine, with plenty of layers of flavour. This mature Gran Reserva delivers a remarkable aromatic intensity on the nose with notes of ripe fruit and a smoky complexity. The palate is silky soft with wild herbs, spice and toasted tones.

MontGras Reserva Chardonnay Cool evenings require some hearty meals. If you’re a fan of Australian-style Chardonnays, but want to try a different country then this is well worth a try. You’ll love the full, ripe, tropical notes that are exuberantly presented in the glass. Pair with rich foods with creamy sauces.

Janneau Grand Armagnac VSOP A sweet and welcoming nose with a hint of prunes and vanilla. The mouthfeel is harmonious and round; the prunes persist and there is a hint of licorice, which truly displays the originality and subtlety of Janneau style, and its elegance.

Old Pulteney 12-Year-Old Highlands Single Malt Whisky An elegant Highland malt showing a deep amber colour with a slightly pink hue. With floral and citrus notes, it’s bright and brings a subtle sweetness from the use of sherry casks sprinkled with sea salt notes.

For more details visit www.waitrosecellar.com

livelifemag.co.uk | 51

FOOD AND DRINK

Top gastropubs to visit We’ve pulled together a list of our favourite Gastropubs in the region. With so many to choose from, now most pubs have gone down the ‘Gastropub’ route, we wanted to help point you towards some of the best in each area.

Written by Amanda French Cambridgeshire It’s no secret that we were incredibly impressed during our recent visit to The Rupert Brooke (www.therupertbrooke.com) in Grantchester.

This Gastropub is definitely more Gastro, less pub, with a large choice of superbly created dishes and a new menu, a visit here is a real treat and should be a regular one.

The Black Bull Inn (blackbull-balsham.co.uk) in Balsham is a traditional Grade II listed thatched Gastropub with an AA Rosette.

All dishes are freshly cooked to order and feature locally sourced produce. Whether visiting for lunch or dinner, there’s something for everyone here.

Essex The delightful The Bell Inn (www.bell-inn. co.uk) set in the lovely historic village of Horndon on the Hill, is a 15th Century Coaching Inn run by the same family for over 75 years.

Their menu is based on simple ideas where big and bold flavours are king. With a daily changing menu and fresh, local ingredients, the head chef and his team have created some delicious dishes.

The Pheasant (www.thepheasant.net) in Gestingthorpe is an award-winning pub nestled on the Essex/Suffolk border, with views over the 52 | livelifemag.co.uk

The Rupert Brooke, Grantchester surrounding countryside. The pub has a oneacre vegetable garden that supplies the pub with fresh fruit and vegetables and all potatoes are sourced from a farm only 10 miles away.

Enjoy locally sourced ingredients on a delightful menu, featuring the best of British food.

Hertfordshire The Hermit of Redcoats (www.thehermitof redcoats.com) in Little Wymondley is a hidden treasure. Having undergone a complete refurbishment recently, it has been returned to its original rustic country style with a hearty menu.

They serve quintessentially British food with locally sourced recipes taken from the country’s culinary history. With a passion for fresh, tasty and rustic food, the menu reflects the best of British food.

An award-winning pub located in the pic-

FOOD AND DRINK turesque village of Willian, near Letchworth, the Fox at Willian (www.foxatwillian.co.uk) is a welcoming pub serving a regularly changing menu with seasonal produce and an extensive bar menu. If it’s sunny take the chance to sit on the sun terrace in the garden.

Bedfordshire The Flying Horse, Clophill (www. theflyinghorse.co.uk) focuses its menu on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The characterful building is filled with cosy corners, comfy armchairs, open log fires and a special dining room.

Book ahead to ensure a spot in the dining room.

Food is served all day at The Rose & Crown, with a slightly shortened menu available during the afternoons.

The traditional pub, The Gunton Arms (www.theguntonarms.co.uk) is set in an extensive historic park not far from Cromer in North Norfolk. The chef Stuart Tattersall (ex head chef at Mark Hix) cooks from local ingredients including venison from the surrounding deer park. You can also enjoy dishes cooked on the Elk Room fire including rib of beef and Sirloin steak.

The Unruly Pig, Suffolk

The cosy Plough at Bolnhurst (www.bolnhurst.com) can trace its roots back to Tudor times. Low beams, an intriguing layout and few windows create a characterful pub.

Watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen working on the seasonal menu and tuck into dishes such as Denham Estate loin of venison, girolle mushroom fricassee, cavolo nero & butter fondant potato.

Norfolk The Rose and Crown (www.roseandcrowns nettisham.co.uk) in Snettisham is a traditional Norfolk village inn with twisting passages and hidden corners, low ceilings and old beams.

As far as possible ingredients are sourced locally, making full use of the wonderful produce of the area in season: mussels, oysters and samphire from Brancaster, asparagus and strawberries from local farmers and herbs from the allotments of Snettisham.

Suffolk

Voted the best Suffolk Pub 2016, The Unruly Pig (theunrulypig.co.uk) is a beautiful 16th century Inn with cosy log burners, original oak beams and sloping ceilings. Located in Bromeswell, only 5 minutes’ drive from the market town of Woodbridge.

They focus on serving quality ingredients and delivering British food with an Italian influence. They even have their own Inka grill in the kitchen which is a charcoal grill, heating food to 400 degrees plus and enhancing the flavour of grilled fish and meat. Menus are changed monthly and there are daily specials to choose from. Plenty of choice in a gorgeous setting.

The Castle inn (www.thecastleinn.net) at Bungay is Michelin recommended and features locally sourced food with a regularly changing menu, reflecting the local seasons. Whether it’s venison in the winter, asparagus at the end of spring or gorgeous salad leaves in summer, the menus are flavoured with local tastes. livelifemag.co.uk | 53

FOOD AND DRINK

Delicious winter warmer There’s nothing quite like a bowl of steaming soup to beat the chill on a cold winter’s day. If you’re bored with the same old flavours, try Waitrose’s Mediterranean twist on a classic vegetable soup…

Ingredients: • Olive oil spray • 1 onion, roughly chopped • 1 large carrot, diced • 1 tsp fennel seeds, roughly crushed • 400g can Waitrose Chopped Tomatoes with Olive Oil & Chopped Garlic • 750ml vegetable stock, made with Kallo Low Salt Organic Vegetable Stock cubes • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves picked and chopped • 1 essential Waitrose Savoy cabbage, halved and shredded • 400g can essential Waitrose Borlotti Beans, drained and rinsed • 4 slices Waitrose LOVE Life Heyford Sliced Bloomer Instructions: 1. Spritz the bottom of a large, heavy-based pan with olive oil spray. Add the onion and carrot and cook over a medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the fennel seeds and cook for a further minute.

2. Pour in the tomatoes and stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in the rosemary and cabbage, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the beans and simmer for a further 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, preheat a griddle pan until hot.

Lay the slices of bread on it and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side, until charred. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with the bread.

Warm yourself up with this delicious steaming soup to beat the chill of winter

Nutrition: 1129kJ/267kcals/12.9g protein/43.7g carbohydrate/14.4g sugars/4.5g fat/1.4g saturated fat/10.9g fibre/0.8g salt per serving livelifemag.co.uk | 55

CABINET MAKERS RESTORATION FURNITURE AND GIFTS

12 Chequer Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4LN 01353 659005 / 666772

www.interiorsofely.co.uk

AHMBATHING

WALK-IN BATHS, WET ROOMS & SHOWERS

DIFFICULTY BATHING? – WE CAN HELP

Wet rooms • Walk in showers (low level & level access) • Walk in baths Product & installation guarantee • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets Local family business • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms

we design • we supply • we fit • we care

CoastalStoves.co.uk We are a family-run business and offer a wide and varied selection of woodburning, Multi-Fuel and Gas Stoves. In our showroom in Holt, we have several on display and below are just a small selection of those on offer...

*Discounts for over 60’s SSAFA and Ex Service personnel* Call now to arrange a FREE survey and quote Ipswich 01473 206918 - Norwich 01603 605518

£100 worth of M & S vouchers with every bathroom installed with this advert at time of order.

Unit 3H Glaven Road, Hempstead Road Industrial Estate, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6DL Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4.00pm, Saturday 9.30am - 2.30pm

Tel 01263 711593 Mobile 07880 658866 info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk

Vouchers sent out 30 days after completion of bathroom installation

www.coastalstoves.co.uk

INTERIORS

Contemporary Comfort: Fusion Leather Snuggler Chair, £1495 Furniture Village www.furniturevillage.co.uk

Relight your fireplace!

A change of season sees the nights draw in and we begin to feel the crisp cool air of autumn.

Though switching the heating on is easy enough to do, there’s nothing quite like a cosy fireplace to snuggle up in front of.

A fireplace has long been the point of pride in the home. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a grand wood burning feature, modern equivalent or are perhaps thinking of installing one in your home in time for winter (they always look great at Christmas which is an added bonus), accessories buyer at Furniture Village (www.furniturevillage.co.uk) Rosie Gabb, shares her expertise on how to incorporate a fireplace into your home…

Make the fireplace the focal point of the room A fire can be more than just a great way to heat your home, it can also serve as a focal point to the living room, offering character to your space. Fireplaces come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and materials, but making it a focal point allows us to position key pieces of furniture,

such as sofas and armchairs, around it to create a more welcoming space. If you have a tiled fireplace, consider choosing a pattern that will lift the décor. Additionally, if your fireplace surround includes a mantelpiece, use this space to artfully position stylish accessories, creating a contemporary feel.

Dress it for the season If you have an open fire, in the warmer months when you have little use for it, place some plants where the logs would usually be to refresh the room. In smaller rooms try placing a mirror in the hearth to create the illusion of space.

As we transition into the autumn months, make the room feel cosy by placing candles in the hearth at varying heights, as this adds light and draws the eye, but doesn’t overpower the room with heat, as a log fire would.

During the colder months, when not in use, stacking some wood in the fireplace will bring the outdoors in and add texture to the space, as well as meaning that the fire is laid, ready to be lit when the colder evenings draw in. livelifemag.co.uk | 57

Free and home des me ign asu ser re vice CARPETS

We also provide quality carpets.

Call our friendly team and we will come to you to measure up and bring samples for you to see at home!

Free home measure and Free ESTIMATING

DESIGN YOUR DREAM kitchen WITH US. FROM our Chippendale kitchen ranges. high quality UNITS and a large range of doors, worktops, sinks, taps, and appliances, including: Neff, BosCh and Aga. We offer a Free home measure and A design service so book an appointment with one of our expert DESIGN consultants today!

visit our showroom at:

KITCHENS

3 -23 Suffolk Road, Lowestoft NR32 1DZ or call us on: 01502 528599 www.kerrys.uk.com

INTERIORS

Choosing the right rugs Darren Stanley from Land of Rugs (www.land ofrugs.com) shares his tips for finding a rug to suit your home

W

ell-chosen rugs are wonderful things. They can really pull a room together and bring a sense of warmth to your home that you just can’t get from a hardwood or tiled floor.

Buying a rug is also an affordable and easy way to update a space and give it some personality. There are, however, some things to consider before choosing one.

Where will it go?

Certain rooms in your house may benefit best from a specific type or weave of rug, so it’s important to keep this in mind. For example, while a thick, shaggy rug might be lovely to step on when you get out of bed, it may not function or fare as well on a spill-prone kitchen floor.

A rug made of cotton would be a better choice in this situation, as it’s a durable material and absorbent enough to deal with the inevitable splashes.

How big does it need to be?

It’s time to get your measuring tape out, because the size of a rug can make or break the look of a space. Seating areas in particular often require rugs that are on the larger side. If you’re looking for something to enhance your dining area, you want to be able to pull out the chairs and still have them sitting on the rug.

Similarly, in your living space, a rug big enough to lie under at the least the front legs of each piece of furniture works best.

What kind of colour or pattern would you like?

Rugs help to decorate a space and, while it might be tempting to choose one that matches your walls or furniture, they offer an opportunity to be more creative. A bright or busy rug can give a quirky edge to a room, while a neutral or classic-looking piece can make a room look more elegant and sophisticated — you just need to decide what you’re going for.

By considering these three factors, you can’t go wrong. You’ll end up with a practical rug that will adorn your chosen room perfectly, giving you a warm and welcoming home. livelifemag.co.uk | 59

HADLEIGH KITCHEN & BEDROOM STUDIO 86-88 High Street, Hadleigh IP7 5EF

Tel: 01473 827666

www.hadleighkitchens.co.uk

SIMPLE HAS NEVER LOOKED SO STYLISH PERSONAL SERVICE – QUALITY PRODUCTS – ATTENTION TO DETAIL

East Anglia

Quality Pools & Equipment 01449 723 656 Mon-Fri: 9-5 Construction & Design * Pool Refurbishment Automatic Covers * Telscopic Pool Enclosures Chemicals & Equipment * Above Ground Pools

Self Service Retail Outlet situated within Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary is now open 7 days/week.

Mon – Sat 9.00 – 5.30pm, Sundays 10.00 – 4.00pm

Shop On-line 24/7 at www.cascadepoolstore.com or visit our main website at www.cascadepools.co.uk

MODERN HOME & OFFICE FURNITURE

Free assembly service for all sideboards and tv stands purchased at our showroom

Unit 7 St Margaret’s Way, Stukeley Meadows Industrial Estate, Huntingdon, PE29 6EB www.sena-homefurniture.co.uk sales@sena-homefurniture.com Tel 01480 432211• 07494 421708

Good Quality Beds and Bedding at the Best Price

Internet Pric IN STORE es !

Choose the colour you would like, select your storage options and we can have it all made and delivered to you

Free Next Day Day!* Single bed Divan m only prices starting fro

£75

Example shown: 4’6” Double Executive Cornflour, 2 + 2 Drawer divan with Oberon matching Headboard.

Mattress and headboard sold separately

With an excellent selection of fabric colours and drawer options for you to choose from!

Options of Maple Drawers, Silver Corners and a choice of Chrome Glides or Chrome Castors.

Cappuccino

Flint

Latte

Noir

Sliver Crush

Cornflower

Classic Beige

Classic Grey

Sandstone

Call us NOW on our Order Hotline:

0333 5775773

Shop from the comfort of your own home online at: www.mattressman.co.uk * Orders above £45 qualify for Free Next Working Day Delivery. Available on Divan purchases made before 3pm Monday to Thursday.

INTERIORS

Cosy up your bedroom With cold and dark nights, it’s easy to snuggle down in bed a little earlier than usual during the autumn months. If you feel yourself longing for an early night, read our tips from Rebecca Maloy, Group Bed Buyer at Furniture Village (www.furniturevillage.co.uk) for warming up the bedroom…

A

s we transition away from the summer months, bedrooms take on a different perspective in autumn and winter, reminding us of the creativity and colour of summer, but with a larger focus on space, relaxation and warmth.

Woven fabrics feature prominently this autumn, and the use of jewel-toned pinks and purples, as well as contemporary knits and woven fabrics, are a nod towards this season’s global trend. Traditional Middle-Eastern prints have been referenced frequently this year, working their way into interiors and featuring heavily in the bedroom. Cut-metal pendant lights and intricately carved wooden pieces establish the Moroccan influence that was celebrated in the summer months, but their deeper shades and warmer feel allow us to transition smoothly into the autumn months.

Another key trend for autumn bedrooms is the idea of modern escapism. Inspired by clear skies and the open ocean, the nautical blues of spring and summer are replaced by darker teals and turquoise, with fresh beiges and masses of natural light enhancing these darker accents.

Cable knits and comforting textures offer a sense of serenity, whilst geometric prints add a sense of intrigue.

As we approach the colder months, bedrooms take on a more comforting and enchanting look. Grounded against fresh whites and beautifully crafted woods, natural textures add a captivating charm to a restful style.

An abundance of heavy, knitted throws

Away in a Manger - Emily Double Bedstead, £399 Furniture Village www.furniturevillage.co.uk and soft, fur cushions further create a sense of warmth, creating a cosy haven, away from the cold outdoors.

More modern trends, such as the use of bronze accessories and warm amber lights, add a cosy and contemporary glow to an otherwise timeless feel.”

Calming Blue - Chester Double Upholstered Bedstead, £949 Furniture Village

livelifemag.co.uk | 63

Enjoy the incredible value of a King size Hypnos bed (or mattress) for the price of a Double during April & May. There can be no better investment than a quality handmade bed/mattress that delivers years of sumyuous and rejuvenating slumber.

So visit our showroom or website and choose a Hypnos bed/mattress that is right for you.

Bring the benefits of a real fire into your home...

Visit the largest display of traditional and contemporary wood burning stoves and gas fires in East Anglia today.

INFO@COLNESTOVES.COM COLNESTOVES.COM

Our Essex showroom: 42 Halstead Rd Earls Colne Colchester Essex CO6 2NL Tel. 01787 222608

Our Suffolk showroom: Overland Park, Great Whelnetham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP30 0UL Tel. 01284 388188

WE OFFER A COMPLETE DESIGN, BUILD AND INSTALLATION SERVICE

HEALTH

Four Ways to Feel Younger “My philosophy is that we are all still kids at heart, only older. It is important to stay curious about new things and have fun! We don’t stop laughing when we die; we die when we stop laughing!” - Dr. Hilary Jones.

Dr. Hilary’s top tips for feeling younger than your years!

1. Train your brain! Consider a new hobby that you can enjoy with your partner or friends.

Competition keeps you keen! Test yourself with crosswords or Sudoku, or why not learn a new language or take up a musical instrument.

Even driving a new route to work can wake up sleepy brain cells.

2. Keep your senses sharp! Research reveals that enjoying quality time with friends and family is what makes us feel our youngest

and happiest. Despite this, over half of people in the UK have noticed their hearing has declined, and 2 in 5 people find socialising in larger groups hard due to background noise.

Take advantage of a free hearing test at one of Hidden Hearing’s high street hearing centres.

Visit www.HearstoHealth.co.uk for more details or call 0800 037 2060.

3. Get out in the fresh air! Getting outside and enjoying a brisk walk in the fresh air is one of the most effective natural energisers – helping to boost circulation, increase feel-good endorphins and strengthen bones and muscles.

Walking also benefits our brain health – studies show that walking six miles or more per week can help prevent dementia.

4. Getting your zzz’s is the simplest way to feel younger right now. Chances are you’re not getting as much as you need so cut-out caffeine after 3pm and try turning in early enough to get eight hours of good quality sleep. You’ll feel the difference in a matter of days and have more energy and fewer dark circles to boot! livelifemag.co.uk | 67

HEALTH

Facing up to dating again Re-entering the dating scene after divorce or a prolonged period away can be a daunting prospect. Dr Leah Totton one of the UK’s leading aesthetics doctors and winner of The Apprentice in 2013, tells us how you can boost your confidence with the help of some simple treatments…

M

any of my clients tell me that they are acutely aware that they are no longer as fresh faced as they were when they met their previous partner so I spend time reassuring them that there are so many ways in which we can help them regain their confidence.

At Dr Leah’s clinics we see many newly widowed, divorced or separated people who want to prepare themselves for love. Here is a list of our top confidence boosting treatments: For the Face We find patients’ prime areas of concerns as they age focus on the mid-face, neck and chin areas, where skin laxity has resulted in sagging, pooling and jowling.

A new treatment called ‘Silhouette Soft’ not only lifts the skin immediately, in time it also stimulates the body to naturally replace the collagen to where it once filled out the skin.

With age, collagen diminishes and fat pads slip downwards – Silhouette Soft encourages the body to regenerate this.

Before treatment the face or neck is numbed, then a series of re-absorbable surgical threads, known as sutures, are inserted painlessly, just under the skin. The initial lifting effect is experienced before the patient leaves the clinic and is extremely discreet, so much so that there is minimal recovery time.

Anti-wrinkle injections are still the most popular treatment we are requested with to help smooth out deep lines and wrinkles.

Dr Leah Totton shares some treatments to help you feel more confident For the Body As we age, our metabolism slows and we lay down fat that no amount of determined exercise will shift. There are several new technologies in the clinician’s armoury which can be used to lend a helping hand and augment the good work our clients are undertaking to shape up. We offer fat freezing using cryo-lyposis, a cavitation based inch loss treatment and skin tightening using radio frequency technology.

For the Hair One of the most effective ways of hair removal is using laser technology. We use FDA approved Saprano Ice Laser. This allows us to make hair removal fast and virtually pain free and we can cater for any skin type (which, as anyone will tell you, is not the case with most laser treatments), however it does not work on grey hair. The laser light energy heats and destroys the hair follicle helping to reduce hair growth over a course of 6-8 treatments.

For more details visit www.drleah.co.uk

livelifemag.co.uk | 69

Bo New dy a lin t es

Advanced Phototherapy Improving your skin even after we switch off the light

• Proven to stimulate collagen remodelling, improves skin texture, reduces pigmentation, increases elasticity • Reduce your wrinkles from the inside • Naturally stimulates cell regeneration • Comfortable and relaxing • A relaxing natural safe way to combat lines and wrinkles

EACH gift in every Will makes a difference

Contact Maddy Dodsworth

Bodylines Beauty Salon 01473 258086

on 01223 204913

Registered Charity No. 1069284

44 Tacket Street, Ipswich IP4 1BA

www.bodylinesbeautysalon.com

Get the treatment you need sooner with our fixed price policy.

At Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital we provide rapid access to specialist consultants, with fixed pricing for your treatment.

We know that when you book treatments you want the reassurance of knowing everything in advance – including the price.

That is why we are committed to offering clear fixed pricing, with no hidden charges.*

01223 266929 info@spirecambridge.com

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital 30 New Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9EL

HEALTH

Anti-Ageing Superfoods Could the answer to looking young be in the foods we eat? Rick Hay, anti-ageing food and fitness nutritionist, investigates…

W

hen thinking about anti-ageing foods you really should be thinking about increasing your intake of superfoods. Superfoods are foods that are nutrient dense and have strong antioxidant properties.

A true superfood has a high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score, and the higher the ORAC score the stronger the food’s antioxidant ability. A higher ORAC score also means the food has better anti-ageing properties. Most true superfoods will have a positive effect on immune function too, and a strong immune system leads to a stronger, more protected system in general.

Here are my top three life extension tips: Use more herbs and spices Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties, while cinnamon is a great blood sugar regulator. Oregano’s antimicrobial and antibacterial properties also show promise. These spices contain phytonutrients and flavonoids that help to fight off many of the conditions that we associate with ageing. They are not just beneficial for anti-ageing they also help to promote good overall general health.

Consume more pulses I would even include some pulses in the anti-ageing category as chickpeas, lentils and beans, all are high in fibre and rich in nutrients. They are great foods to include in the diet to provide plant-based protein, and a diet that is high in plant-based protein is generally the healthiest. Recent research has indicated that even a small increase in the consumption of plant based protein can lead to substantial

Superfoods like chia pudding contain antioxidant properties longevity benefits. Foods that are high in fibre also assist with sustainable weight management, satiety and healthy digestive function all of which are integral to a long healthy life.

Have more teas and tinctures Herbal teas such as licorice, spearmint, raspberry, lemon balm and fennel, and peppermint all have many different anti-ageing properties.

They help to regulate many different body systems by assisting with digestion, blood sugar regulation and immune function. Like any true anti-ageing superfood, they are powerful antioxidants that help the body in the fight against oxidative stress and free radical damage.

While teas can indeed be super, herbal tinctures are like a turbo charged version.

Traditional medicine options such as globe artichoke, olive leaf, St John’s Wort, vervain and licorice have been used successfully to assist in the treatment of many health conditions.

For more health tips visit www.rickhay.co.uk Blog: www.healthista.com Facebook: Anti Ageing Food and Fitness Twitter: @nutritionalphys livelifemag.co.uk | 71

FULL PAGE.indd 1

18/02/2014 14:51

HEALTH

Beating the winter blues World famous psychiatrist Dr Norman Rosenthal is coming to Essex. The clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington D.C. and the first physician to diagnose and name Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), and prescribe light therapy to treat it will be giving a public talk at Firstsite in the High Street, Colchester on 19 October at 1pm.

I

f like us, the short, dreary and chilly days are taking their toll, read his top tips for keeping those winter blues at bay‌

1. Wake up to the light Studies have shown that waking into an illuminated bedroom, as opposed to pitch darkness, gets your day going to a good start

and improves mood. This can be accomplished cheaply by putting your bedside lamp on a timer or by using special devices that simulate a summer dawn.

2. Exercise - preferably in combination with light This can be done indoors such as on a treadmill or elliptical in front of bright light or outdoors, like walking briskly and looking up periodically at the sky.

3. Have fun Make sure you arrange to do some fun things such as meeting with a friend for lunch or tea, a couple of times a week.

However, avoid gorging on sweets and starches, which may provide a short-term boost but can cause long-term unhappiness.

Dr Norman Rosenthal is the author of Winter Blues, a guide for those who suffer from S.A.D livelifemag.co.uk | 73

I never thought I’d make so many friends in a care home Quantum Care homes provide a friendly, stimulating atmosphere with the human warmth to help you enjoy life in a comfortable, homely environment.

We choose dedicated, well-trained staff for whom caring is more than just a job, and locations which are in the heart of the local community.

Real life experiences... at Quantum Care Homes We have 26 Homes in Hertfordshire & surrounding areas

Royston

Baldock Dunstable

• Residential, Respite and Day Care

Hertfordshire A1(M)

Harpenden Hemel Hempstead Abbots Langley

Buntingford

Stevenage

Luton

• Accredited providers of Specialist Dementia Care • Competitive fee rates, not for profit

Letchworth Garden City

St Albans

Bishop’s Stortford

Welwyn Garden City Hoddesdon Hatfield Cheshunt

M25

Watford

Hertford

Harlow

Potters Bar Borehamwood

Rickmansworth Oxhey

01707 393293 info@quantumcare.co.uk

Bushey Heath

www.quantumcare.co.uk

HEALTH

Home Sweet Home We may be biased but we think it’s fair to say that East Anglia is one of the prettiest spots in the country, with its miles of coastline and rural landscapes. So it comes as no surprise that many choose to spend their twilight years here, and settle down in this desirable region.

We caught up with some of the residents of the region’s finest care homes to discover why they couldn’t resist East Anglia as their home later in life…

Outlook Care – Foxburrow Grange, Colchester, Essex They say home is where the heart is, and for Joy Davies aged 82, this couldn’t be more true.

Joy swapped her life in Stoke on Trent for the Essex countryside to be close to her daughter after she became too unwell to cope with Parkinson’s disease by herself.

Originally from Cheshire, and one of three children, Joy was a curly blonde, bright and talented child. Born before the war, she was often reminded to take her gas mask to school, she passed her 11+, went to grammar school, and was a gifted piano player.

Foxburrow Grange, Colchester, Essex

Joy Davies as a young woman After she married Peter in 1950, Joy gave birth to three daughters, Tamasin, Nicola and Amanda and became an inspirational teacher, specialising in science. She was much loved by the primary school children she taught. When she retired from teaching, she found she could not give up contact with children and became a volunteer assistant at her local primary school.

She says: “When I developed Parkinsons Disease I could manage ok to start with, but then I had a bad fall and couldn’t continue by myself at home in Stoke on Trent. My daughters live in Essex, North Yorkshire and Leicestershire. They looked at homes in all these areas, but decided Foxburrow was the best by a very long way.”

Essex also holds special memories for Joy, having visited the areas of Colchester, Manningtree and Lawford for over 40 years since her daughter got her first job at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre. It was where her first grandchild Joseph was born in 1979, and “back in the livelifemag.co.uk | 75

HEALTH day” she would shop this her home. at Williams and Joyce was born in Griffin and Keddies Colchester, Essex, with her daughter. where she left She says: “Essex school aged 14 to is a lovely county begin a successful and much greener career in admin, and more rural working for the than where I have supermarket retailer spent most of my Sainbury’s. Joyce life. I have very married police happy memories officer Lionel Basil of looking after my Gallagher, who was Aldringham Court Care Home, Suffolk grandson as a tiny stationed at Corbaby and taking ringham, and has a him for walks in the son, Christopher.

Essex countryside.”

She has spent time living in Basildon, before Joy put her trust in her daughters to help moving over seas to Malta, where she and her find her a home that was best for her. After husband lived a happy retired life. The couple much research, Foxburrow was the obvious spent 21 years in Malta, before she decided to choice, based upon its values of care for Joy’s come home to England. needs including her physical and mental “It was my son who was responsible for health, regular conversation, activities and selecting Aldringham Court. He looked at lots respectful care staff. of different homes in East Anglia and decided “What impressed us about Foxburrow was that Aldringham Court was the most suitable its values,” says Tamasin, Joy’s eldest daughter. and the ‘only home’ that he would be happy to “Although Foxburrow is purpose-built and a place me in,” explained Joyce. beautiful place, it was the people who imJoyce praises the location as one of the pressed us when we visited and they continue things she loves the most about her new home: to impress us now.” From the North to East “I like this area, Saxmundham is a favourAnglia, Joy feels she has found a caring and ite place of mine and I love the countryside loving home close to family. Friendly staff, a around both Saxmundham and Aldringham sunny garden view room, and activities such Court, and the nearby coastline.” as pottery, music and movement mean Joy can It’s the caring ways of staff that have helped continue to nurture lifelong interests. Not to Joyce feel settled since her relocation. She said: mention great food – “The chef is an expert “I feel safe in these surroundings and all the cake maker!” adds Joy. staff are helpful and do anything for you, if www.foxburrowgrange.org.uk they can. They will respond to any request and are friendly and cheerful.

Aldringham Court Care Home, Suffolk “I did not know what to expect when moving into a care home. I was not used to being Situated just two miles from the Suffolk looked after, having always looked after other Heritage Coast, near Aldeburgh, and housed people in the St John’s Ambulance service. I in an ‘art nouveau’ building with three acres of am happy at Aldringham Court and glad my gardens and woodlands, which are home to an son chose it for me. I love not having to do any impressive array of wildlife, it’s easy to see why housework!”

Joyce Ethel Gallagher, aged 84, is happy calling www.healthcarehomes.co.uk livelifemag.co.uk | 77

Uniquely Magazine Quarter Page Ad 93mm x 128mm

100c 100m 100y 100k 50c 50m 50y

Respite Care

50k

In Ditchingham

Always a warm welcome at Bathsheba Spa!

Ideal for adults with physical disabilities and those with special needs enabling family members who provide care at home to enjoy a well deserved break. It also provides a change of scenery for the client themselves and an opportunity to meet different people and enjoy a range of activities. Rooms are tastefully furnished, fully wheelchair accessible, have peaceful views across the gardens and are fitted with an emergency call system, TV, radio, telephone and free Wi-Fi.

We offer REN luxury body and facial treatments, perfect nails with over 100 GEL polish colours to choose from and a full range of beauty maintenance, in the centre of Woodbridge.

A short video is available through our website for further information please call us: where care counts… 01986 892728

info@all-hallows.org.uk | www.all-hallows.org.uk Daycare | Homecare | Hospital | Nursing Home | Respite Occupational & Physiotherapy | Specialist Care Home

Providing care for you at home • • • • • •

Personal Care Shopping Companionship Housework Sit-in services Home from hospital

24 CHURCH S T, WOODBRIDGE

01394 388813 www.bathshebaspa.co.uk

Would you like help on hand 24 hours a day?

Our friendly and fully trained live-in carers enable you to stay at home with care available as you need it.

East of England Homecare is a community interest company providing support to people in their own homes in Ipswich.

Call us on 01473 228877 www.eehomecare.co.uk

When Muriel became forgetful her daughter arranged live-in care with Purely Care. A 24 hour carer has allowed Muriel to retain her independence and remain safe. Muriel can still decide where she goes and when, the carer helps her choose an outfit and makes sure she gets to her appointments on time and finds her way back home safely. Muriel loves having someone to chat to and remind her when to put the TV on to watch her favourite programmes.

Tel 01603 407707 www.purelycare.co.uk





                       

   





  



  

  

LISTINGS

What’s on?

ESSEX

Every Friday and Saturday, 9am - 4pm Colchester Market Colchester High Street, High St, Colchester CO1, UK facebook.com/ColchMarket Every Thursday, 9am - 11.45am Maldon Country Market Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex CM9 Every Tuesday, 8am - 2.30pm Weekly Market at Burnham on Crouch Burnham on Crouch High Street, High St, Burnhamon-Crouch, Essex CM0 8AA Every third Friday of the month, 9am - 12pm Leigh Farmers Market Leigh Community Centre, 73 Elm Rd, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 Every Tuesday and Saturday, 8.30am - 5.30pm Local Market at Saffron Walden 1 Market Place, Saffron Walden, CB10 1HR www.saffronwalden.gov.uk Every Saturday, 9am 5Km Parkrun at Promenade Park Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ www.parkrun.org.uk Second Saturday of every month SlackFolk at Piatto Café 17-19 Priory Walk, Colchester, CO1 1LG www.facebook.com/ SlackFolk 23-Oct Embroiderers Guild Exhibition Hylands House, London Road, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ hylands-house-1 27-Oct The Comedy Club Chelmsford The Lion Inn, Main Rd, Boreham, Chelmsford CM3 3JA www.lioninnhotel.co.uk/ comedy-club 5-Nov Antique & Collectors Fair The Quaker Hall, Butt Ln, Maldon CM9 5HD 5-6 Nov Autumn Festival at RHS Garden Hyde Hall Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET rhs.org.uk/ hydehall 5-Nov Firework Display Saffron Walden Common, CB10 1JH 12-13 Nov Annual Exhibition and Sale at Fry Art Gallery Castle Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1BD www.fryartgallery.org 19-20 Nov Annual Festival of Model Railways and Hobbies Garons Tennis and Leisure Centre, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 4FA www.shoeburynessmrc.co.uk 29-30 Nov Wreath Making Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF www.english-heritage.org.uk/audley 2-4 Dec Magic of Christmas at RHS Garden Hyde Hall Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET rhs.org. uk/hydehall 3-Dec A Christmas Carol at Saffron Hall Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH www.saffronhall.com 3-Dec Fleamarket at Maldon Town Hall Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4RL 3-Dec The Curiosity Fair Saffron Walden Friends meeting house, High Street, CB10 1AA www.thecuriosityfair.co.uk 15-Jan Music for the New Year Brentwood Theatre, 15 Shenfield Road, CM15 8AG 4-Feb Dolly Parton Tribute Night Colchester United Football Club, Weston Homes Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP www.coluboxoffice.com 17-Feb Michael Jackson Tribute Colchester United Football Club, Weston Homes Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP www.coluboxoffice.com

HERTFORDSHIRE Every Saturday, 8.30am - 1pm Hertford Farmers’ Market Market Place, Hertford Every Saturday and Wednesday, 8.30am - 5.30pm St Albans Traditional Street Market St Peter’s Street, St Albans Third weekend of every month, 10am - 2pm Stable Yard Farmers’ Market Hatfield House, Hatfield AL9 5NQ www. hatfield-house.co.uk 27-Oct Mayor’s Major Tea Party The Sele School, Hertford www.hertford.gov.uk/events/mayor’s-vintage-tea-party--237 24-30 Oct St Albans Fashion Week St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, AL1 1BY stalbansfashionweek.com 5-Nov St Albans Firework Display Verulamium Park, St Albans AL3 4HE 11-13 Nov Knebworth Christmas Fair Knebworth House www. oakleighfairs.co.uk 17-20 Nov Frost Fair Hatfield House, Hatfield AL9 5NQ www. hatfield-house.co.uk 24 Nov - 18 Dec St Albans Christmas Market Vintry Garden, adjacent to St Albans Cathedral 25-Nov Hertford Christmas Gala Hertford town centre www.hertford.gov.uk/events/-hertford-christmas-gala-238 26-Nov Think Hertford, Think Christmas Hertford town centre www.hertford.gov.uk/events/think-christmas-thinkhertford-239 27-Nov St Albans Christmas Lights Switch On & Market Launch St Albans City Centre 27-Nov Harpenden Christmas Carnival Harpenden High Street www.harpenden.gov.uk/events-list 3-Dec Lights of Love Hertford Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR www.hertford.gov.uk/events/lights-of-love-240 9-Dec Carols at the Castle Hertford Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR www.hertford.gov.uk/events/carols-at-the-castle--241 17-Dec Carols on the Hour St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, AL1 1BY www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/christmas-at-st-albans-cathedral 17-Dec Vintage, Antiques & Collectors’ Market Hatfield House, Hatfield AL9 5NQ www.hatfield-house.co.uk 8-Jan Birdwatching trip to Fishers Green, Lee Valley Meet in car park Stubbins Hall Lane Hertfordshire EN9 2EE www.rspb. org.uk/groups/watford 3-Feb Coull String Quartet Concert Benslow Music Trust, Ibberson Way, Hitchin, SG4 9RB 17-Feb Motown’s Greatest Hits - How Sweet It Is Bishop’s Stortford Theatre at Rhodes Arts Complex, CM23 3JG www. rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk CAMBRIDGESHIRE Every Monday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm Cambridge General Market Market Square, Cambridge Every Sunday, 10am - 4pm Arts and crafts market Market Square, Cambridge Every Saturday Ely Craft and Collectables Market Ely Market Place 21-23 Oct Ely Ghost Walks Oliver Cromwell’s House, 29 St Mary’s St, Ely CB7 4HF www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk 28-31 Oct Black Shuck Halloween Ghost Tours Great St Mary’s

livelifemag.co.uk | 81

LISTINGS Church, The University Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ, www.cambridgeghosttours.com 5-Nov Firework Display Midsummer Common, Cambridge www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/leisure-and-entertainment/festivals-and-events/fireworks.en 11-Nov Wine and Cheese Tasting Peterborough Cathedral www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk 18-19 Nov Christmas Gift & Food Fair Ely Cathedral, Ely www. elycathedral.org/events 26 Nov and 3 Dec Handmade For You Artisan Craft Fayre Peterborough Garden Park, PE1 4YZ www.facebook.com/ HandmadeForYouCraftFayres 3-Dec Mill Road Winter Fair Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2BD millroadwinterfair.org 3-4 Dec Escape Room at Oliver Cromwell’s House Oliver Cromwell’s House, 29 St Mary’s St, Ely CB7 4HF www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk 9-Dec Festival of Carols Ely Cathedral, Ely www.elycathedral. org/events 24-Dec A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols King’s College Chapel, Cambridge www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.html 26-Dec Grantchester Barrel Race! Opposite the Rupert Brook Pub, Cambridge Early Jan Cottenham Point to Point Race Horningsea, Cambridge CB5 9JE www.cottenham-racecourse.co.uk 29-Jan Lord Protector’s Historical Fayre Oliver Cromwell’s House, 29 St Mary’s St, Ely CB7 4HF www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk End of Jan Cambridge Winter Ale Festival University Social Club, Mill Lane, Cambridge www.cambridgebeerfestival.com 11-Feb The Minature Battle of Marston Moor Oliver Cromwell’s House, 29 St Mary’s St, Ely CB7 4HF www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk Mid Feb Festival of Light Cambridge City Centre www.e-luminatefestivals.co.uk Mid March History Festival Museum of Cambridge and other locations www.folkmuseum.org.uk NORFOLK Monday to Saturday, 8.30am - 5.30pm Norwich Market Gentleman’s Walk Norwich 22-30 Oct Norfolk Walking Festival Events will be taking place countywide www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk 24-29 Oct Norwich Beer Festival St. Andrew’s and Blackfriars’ Halls www.norwichcamra.org.uk 10 Nov - 23 Dec Thursford Christmas Spectacular Thursford Collection, Thursford Green, Thursford, NR21 0AS 18-20 Nov Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair Sandringham House, PE35 6EN 26-27 Nov A Festival of Christmas Customs & Traditions Weybread Hall Farm Barn, Church Road, Weybread, Diss, IP21 5TR www.thursford.com 2-4 Dec Deepdale Christmas Market Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale North Norfolk Coast PE31 8FB www.dalegatemarket.co.uk/christmas-market/ 3-Dec Celebrating Street Style Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, Bridewell Alley, Norwich, NR2 1AQ www.museums. norfolk.gov.uk › Visit Us › Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell 3-Dec Wynterfest Wymondham Town Centre 3-Dec St Nicholas Fayre Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Unthank Road, Norwich, NR2 2PA www.sjbcathedral.org.uk 3-4 Dec Brewery Open Weekend Woodforde’s Ltd, Broadland Brewery , Woodbastwick, Norwich, NR13 6SW 7-18 Dec Festive Fun at Strangers’ Hall Strangers’ Hall, Char-

82 | livelifemag.co.uk

ing Cross, Norwich, NR2 4AL 9-Dec Christmas with Norwich Cathedral Choir Norwich Cathedral, NR1 4DH www.cathedral.org.uk 10-17 Dec Make a Christmas Cracker Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, Bridewell Alley, Norwich, NR2 1AQ www. museums.norfolk.gov.uk 14-Dec After Hours Christmas Special - Tales of Christmas Past Strangers’ Hall, Charing Cross, Norwich, NR2 4AL www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk 17 Dec - 4 Jan Christmas Through the Ages Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life, Blackfriars Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 3BX www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk 19-20 Dec Victorian Family Christmas Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, NR20 4DR www.museums. norfolk.gov.uk 21-Dec After Hours Christmas Special - Christmas Tours Strangers’ Hall, Charing Cross, Norwich, NR2 4AL www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk 4-Feb Fairport Convention OPEN, 20 Bank Plain, Norwich, NR2 4SF www.opennorwich.org.uk 22-25 Feb CAMRA’s National Winter Ales Festival 2017 St. Andrews & Blackfriars Hall, St Andrews Hall Plain, Norwich, NR3 1AU nwaf.org.uk SUFFOLK 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month Woodbridge Farmers’ Market Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, IP12 4AU 4-Nov Woodbridge Dance Folkus Burness Parish Rooms, The Street, Melton, Near Woodbridge, IP12 1PW 5-Nov Saxmundham Craft Fair Saxmundham Market Hall, 29 High Street, Saxmundham, IP17 1AF 5-Nov Fireworks and Theatre in the Park Christchurch Park, Ipswich, IP4 2BE www.ipswichfireworks.co.uk 6-Nov Craft & Food Fair November 2016 Hadleigh Town Hall/ Guildhall Complex, Market Place, Hadleigh, IP7 5DN 18-Nov Burger Night at Suffolk Food Hall Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, Ipswich,IP9 2AB www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk 24-Nov Christmas Decoration Workshop Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh www.aldeburgh.co.uk 24-27 Nov Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre Town Centre, Bury St Edmunds www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk 26-Nov Southwold Christmas Lights Switch On Town centre, Southwold 27-Nov Chocolate Making Workshop Lavenham Village Hall, Church Street, Lavenham, Sudbury, CO10 9QT www.suffolkmarketevents.co.uk 6-Dec Taste of Sudbury Food and Drink Festival Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk www.tasteofsudbury.co.uk 10-11 & 17-18 Dec Magical Dickensian Christmas Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury, CO10 9BA www.kentwell.co.uk/events/dickensian/dickensian-christmas 21-Dec Carols by Candlelight with the Locrian Ensemble The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 3FD 25-Dec Southwold Christmas Day Swim Southwold seafront 27-Dec Festive Falconry Framlingham Castle, IP13 9BP www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/framlingham-castle 28-Dec Christmas ‘Turkey Buster’ Walk Ipswich TIC, St Stephens Church St Stephens Lane, Ipswich, IP1 1DP 10-Jan Jam & Chutney Making Course Assington Mill, Assington, Sudbury, Stoke by Nayland, CO10 5LZ - www.assingtonmill.com

AUTU M N

SAL E CELEBRATING 70 Y EARS AT TH E LARGEST HOME FURNISHINGS STORE IN EAST ANGLIA!

O S C A R S O FA WAS £1099.99 SALE £899.99

Bury St. Edmunds t: 01284 752804 | Ipswich t: 01473 253164 | glasswells.co.uk

SOFAS & CHAIRS | DINING & COOKSHOP | BEDS & BEDROOM | LINENS & SOFT FURNISHINGS LIGHTING | CARPETS & RUGS | CURTAINS & BLINDS | GIFTS | RESTAURANT | FREE PARKING *Ask in store for details

GW0707 Livelife CS.indd 1

04/10/2016 10:35

unbridlE your EnTHuSiaSm Come and experience Victorian life as it really was, upstairs and downstairs.

Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF

The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England.